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Friday November 21 2025, 05H23
Præsentatio B.V. Mariae 12 lect.
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The brothers said, 'Why did the monk not permit that brother who came to him to dwell in the cave by his side, but did say to him, 'You are not able to bear up against the attack of devils?'' The old man said, 'Because he knew his manner of life and works, and also that he possessed not the labours and the strenuousness which were sufficient to make him strong to resist the fierce assault of the savage nature of the devils which make war against the monks. For according to the labour of every man, and according to his striving, and his rule of life and strenuousness, and according as he is able to bear, so much the greater are the ferocity, and the wickedness, and the bitterness, and the craftiness of the devils who make war against him. Similarly, when one of the brothers entreated Abba Apellen to allow him to live with him in the desert, he said to him, 'You are not able to bear the temptation of the devils.' Finally, when the brother urged him [to let him do so], he commanded him to dwell in a cave by his side. And the devils came against him in the night and sought to strangle him, until Abba Apellen came, and surrounded the cave with the sign of the Cross, after which the brother was able to live in the cave. For not all monks are able to fight against the devils, but only such as are perfect and humble.'
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