Let Your Heart Be At Peace

A brother asked a hermit, "Tell me somethng good that I may do it and live by it."

The hermit said, "God alone knows what is good. But I have heard that one of the hermits asked the great Nisteros, who was a friend of Antony, 'What good work shall I do?' and he replied, 'Surely all works please God equally? Scripture says, Abraham was hospitable and God was with him; Elijah loved quiet and God was with him; David was humble and God was with him.' So whatever you find you are drawn to in following God's will, do it and let your heart be at peace."

~~photo by Victoria Logue

Run From the Dragon

When Nisteros the Great was walking in the desert with a brother, they saw a dragon and ran away. The brother said, "Were you afraid, abba?"

Nisteros answered, "I wasn't afraid my son. But it was right to run away from the dragon, otherwise I should have had to run away from conceit."

What Good Work Shall I Do?

A brother asked one of the elders: what good thing shall, I do and have life thereby? The old man replied: God alone knows what is good. However, I have heard it said that someone inquired of Father Abbot Nisteros the great, the friend of Abbot Anthony, asking: What good work shall I do? And that he replied: Not all works are alike. For Scripture says that Abraham was hospitable and God was with him. Elias loved solitary prayer, and God was with him. And David was humble, and God was with him. Therefore, whatever you see your soul to desire according to God, do that thing, and you shall keep your heart safe.

~~photo by Griffin Logue