When Elder Daniel Katounakiotis (+1929)
was in the Russian Monastery, he observed that a certain monk living in
asceticism in a kathisma outside the Monastery played a role of a great
ascetic. He fasted severely, wore the most wretched clothes, walked
around barefoot even in winter, etc. Among other things, while the rule
called for 300 prostrations a day, he made 3000. For this reason the
other monks marvelled at him.
Elder Daniel, even though he was
younger at the time, displayed no enthusiasm. His clear-sighted eyes
discerned a situation that was not pleasing to God. He noticed that the
door of his kathisma contained an opening which allowed the passers-by
to look in and praise his great asceticism.
His love moved him to
report the situation to the abbot, and thus save the brother from
delusion. The abbot set out for the kathisma of the "super-ascetic".
"How are you doing here, father?"
"By your prayers, Elder, well. I struggle and weep over my sins."
"Only you never come to tell me your thoughts."
"What could I tell you, Elder? You know them all. I am a sinner who struggles."
"How do you struggle? Tell me, do you make prostrations?"
"Yes, Elder, I make a few."
"How many?"
"By your prayers, 3000 a day."
"What!
Why 3000? Who gave you a blessing to do so many? No, don't ever do 3000
again. What are you trying to portray - a 'super-ascetic'? From now on
do only fifty, so you won't get proud."
With that the abbot left.
The incision had been made, and the abscess soon revealed its foul
contents. For the former "great ascetic" made a 180-degree turn. He was
unable to make even fifty prostrations. Instead of ragged clothes he now
wore whatever was most expensive, and had the choicest foods brought to
his poor table. Naturally, the other fathers were astonished, and they
understood that his excessive ascetic practices had been fed by the
spirit of pride. This explained this surprising change, for the spirit
of delusion runs after extremes. According to patristic wisdom, the
extreme, the superfluous, and the excessive are "of the demons".
Contemporary Ascetics of Mount Athos, vol. 1, by Archimandrite Cherubim, pp. 259-60.
