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Wednesday December 24 2025, 17H10
Vigilia Nativitatis Domini
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A certain father whose name was Eulogius, having led a life of great austerity and labour in Constantinople, obtained great fame and reputation ; and he came to Egypt in order that he might see something more excellent, and when he heard about Abba Joseph he came to him, expecting to see a very much more laborious form of life than his own. And the old man received him with gladness, and said to his disciple, Make some distinction in the food which you have to prepare, and let it be suitable for strangers.' Now when they had sat down to eat, those who were with Abba Eulogius said, 'Bring a little salt, for the father will not eat this'; but Abba Joseph ate, and drank, and held his peace. And Eulogius passed three days with him, but he never heard them singing the Psalms, and he never saw them praying, for every act of worship which they performed was in secret ; and he went forth from them having profited in no wise. And by the Providence of God it happened that they lost their way, and they returned the same day, and they came and stood at the door of the old man's cell; and before they could knock at the door, Eulogius heard them singing the Psalms inside, and having waited for a long time, they knocked, and immediately those of the company of Joseph who were singing inside stopped. Now when Eulogius and those who were with him had gone inside the old man received them again with gladness, and because of the heat which they had endured, Abba Joseph's monks gave Eulogius [some] water to drink; and this water was a mixture, part being sea water and part being river water, and when Eulogius had tasted it he was unable to drink it. Then he repented within himself, and he went in to Abba Joseph and fell down at his feet, and entreated him to be allowed to learn his rule, for he wished so to do, arid he said, What does this mean? When we were with you you sang no Psalms, but as soon as we have left you you perform services overmuch. And when I want to drink water I find it to be salt.' The old man said to him, 'It was brother Sylvanus who did this, and he mixed the water without knowing'; and Eulogius entreated him [to tell him about it], for he wished to learn the truth. Thereupon Abba Joseph said to him, That mixture of wine which we drink we drink for the sake of the love of Christ, but the brothers always drink this water.' And Abba Joseph taught him the difference [between their rules of life], and that he toiled in secret and not before the children of men; and he ate a meal at the same table with them, and he partook of whatsoever was set thereupon; and Eulogius learned that, even as the old man had said, Abba Joseph performed his ascetic labours in secret, and having profited greatly he departed with gladness, giving thanks unto God.
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