A New People

Et in Osee dicit: Vocabo non plebem meam plebem meam et non misericordiam consecutam misericordiam consecutam et erit in loco ubi dictum est: Non plebs mea vos, ibi vocabuntur filii Dei vivi. Unde autem Hiberione qui numquam notitiam Dei habuerunt nisi idola et inmunda usque nunc semper coluerunt quomodo nuper facta est plebs Domini et filii Dei nuncupantur, filii Scottorum et filiae regulorum monachi et virgines Christi esse videntur? Et etiam una benedicta Scotta genetiva nobilis pulcherrima adulta erat, quam ego baptizavi; et post paucos dies una causa venit ad nos, insinuavit nobis responsum accepisse a nuntio Dei et monuit eam ut esset virgo Christi et ipsa Deo proximaret: Deo gratias, sexta ab hac die optime et avidissime arripuit illud quod etiam omnes virgines Dei ita hoc faciunt, non sponte patrum earum, sed et persecutiones patiuntur et improperia falsa a parentibus suis et nihilominus plus augetur numerus, et de genere nostro qui ibi nati sunt nescimus numerum eorum, praeter viduas et continentes. Sed ex illis maxime laborant quae servitio detinentur: usque ad terrores et minas assidue perferunt; sed Dominus gratiam dedit multis ex ancillis suis, nam etsi vetantur tamen fortiter imitantur. Sanctus Patricius Hibernorum Apostolus, Confessio Source: Migne PL 53.810a-b

Hosea says: 'I will call a people not mine my people; and she who has not obtained mercy, will obtain mercy, and in the place where it was said: You are not my people, there they will be called children of the living God.' 1 Whence how in Ireland which never had knowledge of God but to serve idols and unclean things always up to now, have they recently become the people of the Lord, and are called children of God, and the sons and daughters of the leaders of the Irish are seen to be monks and virgins of Christ? There was a blessed Irish lady of noble birth, a most beautiful woman, whom I baptised, and after a few days she came to me for one reason: she told me that she had received word from a messenger of God, who admonished her that she should become a virgin of Christ and that she should come near to God. Thanks be to God, six days later, enthusiastically and well, she took up that way which all the virgins of God do. And not by their fathers' will do they do this, for they suffer persecution from them and false accusations from their parents, and nevertheless the number of them grows, and we do not know the number of our people who were born there. Besides which, there are the widows and the celibates. But of all these, those held in slavery toil most, constantly enduring terror and threats, but the Lord gives grace to so many of His handmaids who serve him, for even if they are forbidden, they bravely follow. Saint Patrick Apostle of the Irish, from The Confessio 1 Hosea 2.23-24; 1.10

Serpents And Doves

Εἰπε πάλιν· Γέγραπται, ὅτι Γίνεσθε φρόνιμοι ὡς οἱ ὄφεις, καὶ ἀκέραιοι ὡς αἱ περιστεραί. Τὸ μὲν γὰρ γίνεσθαι ὡς οἱ ὄφεις εἴρηται, πρὸς τὸ μὴ λανθάνειν ἡμᾶς τὰς ὁρμὰς καὶ τὰς μεθοδείας τοῦ διαβόλου· τὸ γὰρ ὅμοιον ἐκ τοῦ ὁμοίου ταχίστην ἔχει τὴν διάγνωσιν· τὸ δὲ ἀκέραιον τῆς περιστερᾶς δείκνυσι τὸ καθαρὸν τῆς πράξεως.  Ἄποφθέγματα των Αγίων Γερόντων, Παλλάδιος Ελενουπόλεως Source: Migne PG 65.427a

Again Mother Syncletica said, 'It is written, 'Be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.' 1 For to be  like serpents means not to be forgetful of the attacks and plots of the devil. Like is quickly known by like. And the simplicity of the dove denotes purity of action.'  Sayings of the Desert Fathers, Palladius of Galatia  1 Mt. 10.16

Correcting The Fallen

Praeterea monachorum quosdam atque monacharum, abjecto proposito sanctitatis, in tantam potestatis demersos esse lasciviam, ut prius clanculo, velut sub monasteriorum praetextu, illicita ac sacrilega se contagione miscuerint, postea vero in abruptum conscientiae desperatione perducti de illicitis complexibus libere filios procrearint, quod et publicae leges, et ecclesiastica jura condemnant: has igitur impudicas detestabilesque personas a monasteriorum coetu, ecclesiarumque conventibus eliminandas esse mandamus, quatenus retrusae in suis ergastulis tantum facinus continua lamentatione deflentes, purificatorio possint poenitudinis igne decoquere, ut eis vel ad mortem saltem, solius misericordiae intuitu per communionis gratiam possit indulgentia  subvenire. Pape Siricius Epistola Decretalis Papae Siricii Himerio Episcopo Tarraconensi Source: Migne PL 13.1137b-c

Moreover those certain monks and nuns, who having cast off the way of holiness, plunged into such great wantonness that first in secret, as it were under the veil of the monasteries, they embroiled themselves in forbidden and sacrilegious affairs, but later, led on swiftly by abandonment of conscience, they freely produced children by illicit intercourse, which both civil laws and ecclesiastical rules condemn, these shameless and detestable persons, therefore, we command should be banished from the community of monasteries and the congregations of churches, so that having been thrust away into their imprisonment, bewailing with constant lamentation their crimes, they can roast in the purifying fire of repentance, that at least at death, out of consideration of mercy alone, forgiveness through the grace of communion can come to their aid. Pope Siricius, from the Letter to Bishop Himerius of Tarragona

A Lady's Marriages

Interea neque hoc silendum arbitror quod mihi personarum gravium atque fidelium est relatione compertum. Gothorum namque temporibus Galla hujus urbis nobilissima puella Symmachi consulis ac patricii filia, intra adolescentiae tempora marito tradita, in unius anni spatio ejus est morte viduata. Quam dum, fervente mundi copia, ad iterandum thalamum et opes et aetas vocarent, elegit magis spiritalibus nuptiis copulari Deo, in quibus a luctu incipitur, sed ad gaudia aeterna pervenitur, quam carnalibus nuptiis subjici, quae a laetitia semper incipiunt, et ad finem cum luctu tendunt. Huic autem cum valde ignea conspersio corporis inesset, coeperunt medici dicere, quia nisi ad amplexus viriles rediret, calore nimio contra naturam barbas esset habitura, quod ita quoque post factum est. Sed sancta mulier nihil exterioris deformitatis timuit, quae interioris sponsi speciem amavit, nec verita est si hoc in illa foedaretur, quod a coelesti sponso in ea non amaretur. Mox ergo ut ejus maritus defunctus est, abjecto saeculari habitu, ad omnipotentis Dei servitium sese apud beati Petri apostoli ecclesiam monasterio tradidit, ibique multis annis simplicitati cordis atque orationi dedita, larga indigentibus eleemosynarum opera impendit. Cumque omnipotens Deus perennem jam mercedem reddere ejus laboribus decrevisset, cancri ulcere in mamilla percussa est. Nocturno autem tempore ante lectum ejus duo candelabra lucere consueverant, quia videlicet amica lucis, non solum spiritales, sed etiam corporales tenebras odio habebat. Quae dum nocte quadam ex hac eadem jaceret infirmitate fatigata, vidit beatum Petrum apostolum inter utraque candelabra ante suum lectum consistentem; nec perterrita timuit, sed ex amore sumens audaciam exsultavit, eique dixit: Quid est, Domine mi, dimissa sunt mihi peccata mea? Cui ille benignissimi ut est vultus, inclinato capite annuit, dicens: Dimissa; veni. Sed quia quamdam sanctimonialem feminam in eodem monasterio prae caeteris diligebat, illico Galla subjunxit: Rogo ut soror Benedicta mecum veniat. Cui ille respondit: Non, sed illa talis veniat tecum; haec vero quam petis, die erit trigesimo secutura. His itaque expletis, visio apostoli assistentis et colloquentis ei ablata est. At illa protinus cunctae congregationis accivit Matrem, eique quid viderit, quidve audierit, indicavit. Tertio autem die cum ea quae jussa fuerat sorore defuncta est; illa vero quam ipsa poposcerat die est trigesimo subsecuta. Quod factum nunc usque in eodem monasterio manet memorabile, sicque hoc a praecedentibus Matribus traditum narrare illic solent subtiliter juniores quae nunc sunt sanctimoniales virgines, ac si illo in tempore huic tam grandi miraculo et ipsae adfuissent. Sanctus Gregorius Magnus, Dialogi Liber IV, Caput XIII

Nor do I judge that I should be silent concerning that which I learned from the report of persons who are solemn and trustworthy. In the time of the Goths, a most noble young lady named Galla, daughter to Symmachus the Consul, during her adolescence was given in marriage, and in the space of a year death made her a widow. Yet though she did not lack for world's wealth and her riches and young years cried out for a second marriage, she chose rather to be joined to God in spiritual marriage, which begins in mourning but arrives at everlasting joy, than to become again subject to carnal matrimony, which always begins with delights and comes to its end in sorrow. Now since this lady had an extremely warm state of body, the physicians said that unless she took a husband again, on account of her heat, contrary to nature, she would grow a beard, and so it happened. But the holy woman feared not at all outward deformity, since inwardly she loved the beauty of her spouse; nor did she care if anything of her became foul, which her celestial spouse did not love. Therefore soon after the death of her husband, casting off her secular habit, she gave herself to the service of Almighty God at the monastery by the church of the blessed Apostle Saint Peter, where for many years she lived in simplicity of heart and prayer and gave alms plentifully to the needy. When almighty God determined to gave to her an everlasting reward for her labours, she was struck by a cancerous growth in one of her breasts. In the night she was accustomed to have two candles burning before her bed, for being a friend of the light, she hated not only spiritual but also corporal darkness. One night, lying afflicted with her infirmity, she saw Saint Peter standing between the two candlesticks before her bed, and not being afraid at all, but rather love giving her boldness, she said to him: 'How is it with me, my Lord? Are my sins forgiven me?' To whom he who had most kindly countenance inclined a little his head and said: 'They are forgiven; come.' But because there was a consecrated lady in the monastery whom she loved more than the rest, she said, 'I ask that sister Benedicta come with me.' To which he replied, 'No, but another will come with you, and the one whom you wish shall follow after thirty days.' And having said this, the vision of the Apostle standing near and his speech was taken from her. Immediately she called for the mother of the congregation and told her what she had seen and heard, and the third day following both she and the other nun died, and then thirty days later the one whom she had asked for also followed. The memory of this is kept until today in that monastery, so that the consecrated women who now live there, having it handed down to them by their predecessors, are accustomed to tell every detail of it, as if they had been there at that time when the great miracle occurred. Saint Gregory the Great, Dialogues, Book 4, Chap 13

A Ruined House

Εἶπε πάλιν· Ἐπικίνδυνον, τὸν μὴ διὰ τοῦ πρακτικοῦ βίου ἀναχθέντα διδάσκειν. Ὥσπερ γὰρ ἐὰν ᾗ τις οἰκίαν ἔχων σαθρὰν, ξένους ὑποδεξάμενος, βλάψει τῇ πτώσει τοῦ οἰκήματος, οὕτως καὶ τοὺς προσελθόντας αὐτοῖς ἀπώλεσαν· τοῖς μὲν γὰρ λόγοις συνεκάλεσαντο εἰς σωτηρίαν, τῇ δὲ τοῦ τρόπου κακίᾳ τοὺς ἀθλητὰς μᾶλλον ἠδίκησαν. Ἄποφθέγματα των Αγίων Γερόντων, Παλλάδιος Ελενουπόλεως

Again Mother Syncletica said, 'It is dangerous for anyone to teach who has not first been trained in the practical life of virtue. For just as if someone who owns a ruined house receives guests there does harm to them because of the dilapidation of the dwelling, so he untrained causes damage to those who come to him. For by words one may call men to salvation, but by evil behaviour one injures them.' Sayings of the Desert Fathers, Palladius of Galatia

Epitaph for Granddaughters

Lumine virgineo hic splendida membra quiescunt. Insigneis animo, castae velamine sancto Crinibus imposito caelum petiere sorores Innocuae vitae meritis operumque bonorum. Noxia vincentes Christo medicante venena Invisi anguis palmam tenuere perennem, Aspide calcato sponsi virtute triumphant Letanturque simul pacata in secula missae Evictis carnis vitiis, saevoque dracone Obluctante diu subegunt durissima bella. Nam cunctis exuta malis hic corpora condunt. Tantus amor tenuit semper sub luce sacratas, Iungeret ut tumulo sanctarum membra sororum. Alvus quas matris mundo emiserat una, Ad caelum pariter mittet domus una sepulcri. Mirifico genetrix fetu, quae quattor agnas Protulit electas, claris quae quattor astris Emicuit castoque choro comitante Maria Letatur gradiens germanis septa puellis. Ingressae templum domini venerabile munus Accepient, duros quoniam vicere labores, Floribus et variis operum gemmisque nitentes Lucis perpetuae magno potientur honore. Adventum sponsi nunc praestolantur ovantes Veste sacra comptae, oleo durante beatae. Immortale decus numerosa prole parentes Aeterno regi fidei pietate sacrarunt. nomina sanctarum lector is forte requiris, ex omni versu te littera prima docebit. hunc posuit neptes titulum Taurina sacrata. Epitaphius Neptibus

Limbs splendid here in virginal splendor rest. In souls noble, on hair rest Chaste veils, sisters who sought heaven In innocent life's merits and good works. Noxious poison of the hated snake conquering, In the healing of Christ they sought the deathless palm, A serpent trampled, the groom's virtue triumphant. Let these sent together into the age rejoice, Evicting faults of flesh and dragon's ferocity Overcome through hard and long battles, No evil's stay permitting, here their bodies they brought. These consecrated ones had such love always so that In one tomb are the bodies of sacred sisters. A single mother's womb sent them into the world, A single tomb sends them to heaven together. Marvellous how a fertile mother four elect lambs Produced, these four bright stars, Eminent Maria who in the chaste chorus is gathered. Let her rejoice walking with her begotten offspring, Let them enter the Lord's Temple with venerable gifts, All acceptable, for with hard labour they were won, Flowers and various gems shining are their deeds, Let them obtain great honour in the eternal light. Advent of the groom they now await to celebrate Vestments sacred their garb, with blessed oil anointed. Immortal offspring, glory of parents, All dedicated to the eternal king with faith and piety. If, reader, you seek the names of these blessed ones, Learn it from the first letter of every line. The consecrated Taurina made this for granddaughters. Epitaph for Granddaughters

Epitaph for the Nun Florentia

Florentia virgo Christi vix. ann XXI et vita brevi explevit tempora multa. obdormuit in pace Iesu quem dilexit  kal.April.era DCXXVI. Epitaphius Florentiae

Florentia, a virgin of Christ, lived twenty one years And in a brief life expended much time. She slept in the peace of Jesus whom she loved On the Kalends of April in the year 626. Epitaph for Florentia

An Improvement In Prayers

In eisdem quoque Homiliis rem narrasse me recolo, quam Speciosus compresbyter meus, qui hanc noverat, me narrante attestatus est. Eo namque tempore quo monasterium petii, anus quaedam Redempta nomine, in sanctimoniali habitu constituta in urbe hac juxta beatae Mariae semper virginis ecclesiam manebat. Haec illius Herundinis discipula fuerat, quae magnis virtutibus pollens, super Praenestinos montes vitam eremiticam duxisse ferebatur. Huic autem Redemptae duae in eodem habitu discipulae aderant, una nomine Romula, et altera, quae nunc adhuc superest, quam quidem facie scio, sed nomine nescio. Tres itaque hae in uno habitaculo commanentes, morum quidem divitiis plenam, sed tamen rebus pauperem vitam ducebant. Haec autem quam praefatus sum Romula aliam quam praedixi condiscipulam suam magnis vitae meritis anteibat. Erat quippe mirae patientiae, summae obedientiae, custos oris sui ad silentium, studiosa valde ad continuae orationis usum. Sed quia plerumque hi, quos jam homines perfectos aestimant, adhuc in oculis summi opificis aliquid imperfectionis habent, sicut saepe imperiti homines necdum perfecte sculpta sigilla conspicimus, et jam quasi perfecta laudamus, quae tamen adhuc artifex considerat et limat, laudari jam audit, et tamen ea tundere meliorando non desinit; haec quam praediximus Romula ea quam Graeco vocabulo medici paralysin vocant molestia corporali percussa est, multisque annis in lectulo decubans, pene omni jacebat membrorum officio destituta, nec tamen haec eadem ejus mentem ad impatientiam flagella perduxerant. Nam ipsa ei detrimenta membrorum facta fuerant incrementa virtutum, quia tanto sollicitius ad usum orationis excreverat, quanto et aliud quodlibet agere nequaquam valebat.  Sanctus Gregorius Magnus, Dialogorum Libri IV, Libri IV, Cap XV

In the same homilies I also recollect a certain thing that was told me, to which narrative Speciosus, my fellow-Priest, would attest. In the time when I sought the monastic life there was a certain old woman named Redempta established in the holy garb, dwelling in this city near the church of the Blessed Mary Ever Virgin. She was a disciple of that Hirundina who was renowned for her great virtues, and who led a hermit's life in the mountains of Praeneste.This Redempta herself had two disciples who wore the same dress as she had adopted, the one named Romula, but the name of the other, she who has survived to our own day and who I know by sight, I can not tell. These three, then, lived together in a little house, replete with the riches of virtues but leading a poor life in worldly things. Of the disciples just spoken of Romula far surpassed the other in merit of life. She was possessed of admirable endurance, perfectly obedient, a guardian of her mouth for the sake of silence, and one who with great diligence employed herself in continual prayer. But as many things are judged by men to be perfect yet in the eyes of the consummate artisan have some imperfection, as often we unskilful folk see fine seals and praise them as perfect yet a true artist having looked at the same would note flaws, and, though hearing it praised, would not hesitate to lay hands on it and improve it, so the aforesaid Romula was struck down by an affliction of the body which the physicians call by the Greek word of paralysis, and for many years she lay on her bed, being cast down in such a manner that she was deprived almost of the use of all her limbs, yet this scourge did not drive her to impatience, for the damage done to her limbs was to the benefit of her virtues, because the more she was rendered incapable of acting in other things, the more she was able to exert herself in prayer. Saint Gregory the Great, Dialogues, Bk 4, Chap 15

On the Teacher

Ἐῖπε πάλιν ἡ αὐτὴ, ὅτι ὁ διδάσκαλος ὀφείλει εἶναι ξένος φιλαρχίας, καὶ ἀλλότριος κενοδοξίας, μακρὰν ὑπερηφανίας, μὴ ὑπὸ κολακείας ἐμπαιζόμενος, μὴ ὑπὸ δώρων τυφλούμενος, μὴ ὑπὸ γαστρὸς νικώμενος, μὴ ὑπὸ ὀργῆς κρατούμενος· ἀλλὰ μακρόθυμος, ἐπιεικὴς, πάσῃ δυνάμει ταπεινόφρων· ἔγκριτος εἶνα, καὶ ἀνεκτικός· κηδεμονικὸς καὶ φιλόψυχος.  ᾽Αποφθεγματα των ἀγιων γεροντων, Παλλαδιος

Again Mother Theodora said, 'The teacher should be eager for guests and a stranger to vainglory, distant to pride and not moved by flattery, nor blinded by gifts, nor ruled by the stomach, nor under the power of anger; but patient, peaceable and humble in so far as he can be. He should be tolerant, diligent and a lover of souls.' Sayings of the Desert Fathers, Palladius of Galatia

Isidora the Fool

Ἐν τούτῳ μοναστηρίῳ παρθένος τις ἦν μία Ἰσιδώρα καλουμένὴ, διὰ τὸν Χριστὸν ὑποκρινομένη μωρίαν καὶ δαιμονᾷν, προθεμένη δι’ αὐτῶν κατορθῶσαι τὴν ἀρετὴν, εἰς ἄκρον ἑαυτὴν ταπεινοῦσα καὶ κατευτελίζουσα. Ταύτην ἐπὶ τοσοῦτον ἐβδελύξαντο αἱ λοιπαὶ, ὥστε μηδὲ συνεσθίειν αὐτῇ, καὶ τοῦτο ἐκείνης μετὰ χαρᾶς καταδεξαμέντης. Ἀλωμένη οὖν περὶ τὸ μαγειπϊον ἐκείνη πᾶσαν ἐποίει ὑπηρεσίαν πάσαις αὐταῖς, ὡς δούλη ὑπακούσα εἰς πᾶσαν ὑπακοήν. Καὶ ἥν αὔτη ἡ μακαρῖτις (τὸ δὴ λεγόμενον) σπόγγος τῆς συνοδίας, ἔργῳ πληροῦσα τὸ γεγραμμένον ἐν τῷ ἀγίῳ. Εὐαγγελίῳ, τὸ Ὁ θελων ἐν ὑμῖν εἶναι μέγας, ἒστω πάντων δοῦλος καὶ πάντων διάκονος. Καὶ εἴ τις δοκεῖ σοφος εἰναι, ἐν τῷ αἰῶνι τούτῳ μωρὸς γενέσθω, ἵνα γένηται σοφός. Τῶν οὖν ἄλλων παρθένων τὸ σχῆμα ἠν κεκαρμένων, ἐχουσῶν κουκούλλια ἐπὶ τῶν κεφαλῶν. Αὐτη δὲ ῥάκος ἀναδήσασα τὴν κεφαλὴν, οὕτως ἐποίει πᾶσαν αὐτῶν τὴν ὑπηρεσίαν. Ταύτην μασσωμένην οὐκ ἴδεν οὐ μία τῶν τετρακοσίων τὰ ἔτη τῆς ζωῆς αὐτῆς. Ἐπι τραπέζης οὐδέ ποτε ἐκαθέσθη, οὐδὲ κλάσματος ἄπρου μετέλαβέν ποτε, ἀλλὰ τὰς ψιχας σπογγολογοῦσα τῶν τραπεζῶν, καὶ τὰς χότρας περιπλύουσα, τούτοις ἠρκείτο, μή ὑποδρησαμένη ποτε, μὴ ὑβρίσασα τινα, μὴ γογγύσασα μικρὸν ἤ μέγα ῥῆμα, καίπερ ὑβριζομένη, καὶ καταρωμένη, καἰ ὑπὸ τῶν πλειόνων μυσαττομένη. Περὶ ταὺτης τῆς ὁσίας τῷ ἀγίῳ Πιτηροὺμ παρέστη ὁ ἄγγελος ἐν τῷ Πορφυρίτῃ καθεζομένῳ ἀναχωρητῇ, ἀνδρὶ δοκιμωτάτῳ εὶς τὴν τῆς ἀσκήσεως ἀρετήν. Και λέγει αὐτῷ. Διὰ τί μέγα φρονεῖς ἐπὶ τοῖς σαυτοῦ κατοπθώμασιν ὡς εὐλαβὴς, καὶ ἐν τοιούτῳ καθεζόμενος τόπῳ; θέλεις ἰδεῖν σου εὐλαβεστέραν γυναίκα; ἀπελθε εἰς τὸ μοναστήριον τῶν γυναικῶν τῶν Ταβεννησιωτῶν, καὶ εὐρήσεις ἐκεῖ μίαν, διάδημα ἔχουσαν ἐπὶ τῆς πεφαλῆς αὐτῆς· ἐκείνη σου ἀμείνων ἐστί. Τοσούτῳ γὰρ ὄχλῳ πυκτεύουσα, καὶ διαφόρως πάσαις δουλεύουσα, τὴν ἑαυτῆς καρδίαν οὐδέποτε ἀπέστησεν τοῦ θεοῦ, καίπερ παρὰ πασῶν καταφρονουμένη. Σὺ δὲ κατεζομενος ὦδε ἀνὰ τὰς πόλεις πλανᾶσαι τῇ διανοίᾳ, ὁ μηδέποτε οἰκουμένην πατήσας. Ἀναστὰς δὲ ἐκ τούτου τοῦ τόποῦ ὁ μέγας Πιτηρούμ, ἦλθεν ἔως τοῦ μοναστηρίου τῶν Ταβεννησιωτῶν , καὶ παρακαλεῖ τοὺς διδασκάλους διαβῆναι εἰς τὸ μοναστήριον τῶν γυναικῶν. Ὡς οὖν ἐπίδοξον τῶν Πατέρων καὶ ἐν τῇ ἀσκήσει γεγηρακότα θαῥοῦντες εἰσήγαγον αὐτὸν, διαπεράσαντες τὸν ποταμόν. Καὶ μετὰ τὸ εὔξασθαι αὐτοὺς, ἐπεζήτησεν ὁ μέγας πάσας τὰς παρθένους ἰδεῖν κατὰ πρόωπον. Πασῶν οὖν ἐλθουσῶν ἐν τῷ μέσῳ ἐκείνη οὐ παρεφαίνετο. Τέλος λέγει αὐταῖς, Λείπει μία, ἢν ἐδειξέν μοι ὁ ἄγγελος. Λέγουσιν αὐτῷ· Μίαν ἔχομεν σαλήν· ἐν τῷ μαγει. ῥίῳ ἐστίν. Οὔτω γὰρ ἐκεῖ καλοῦσι τὰς πασχούσας. Λέγει ὁ μέγας· Ἀγάγετε κὰκείνην, ἄφετε ἴδω αὐτήν. Ἀπῆλθον οὖν φωνῆσαι αὐτήν. Ἡ δὲ οὔχ ὑπήκουσεν τότε αἰσθομενη τοῦ πράγματος· ἴσως γὰρ καὶ ἀπεκαλύφθη αὐτῇ. Σύρουσιν οὖν αὐτὴν μετὰ βίας ἀγουσαι καὶ λέγουσαι αὐτῇ· Ὁ ἅγιος Πιτηροὺμ ἰδεῖν σε θέλει. Ἤν γὰρ οὖτος ὀνομαστός. Ἀχθείσης οὖν αὐτῆς, ἐθεάσατο ὁ μέγας τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτῆς, καὶ τὸ ῥάκος ἐπὶ τῆς κεφαλῆς αὐτῆς καὶ τοῦ μετώπου. Καὶ πεσὼν αὐτοῦ εἰς τοὺς πὸδας, λέγει αὐτῇ· Εὐλόγησόν με ἀμμᾶ. Πεσοῦσα δὲ καὶ αὐτὴ εἰς τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ, ἔλεγεν· Σύ με εὐλόγησον, κύριέ μου· Ἰδοῦσαι δὲ τούτο πᾶσαι, ἐξέστησαν λέγουσαι αὐτᾡ· Ἀββᾶ, μὴ πάσχε ὕβριν· σαλὴ γάρ ἐστιν. Λέγει αὐταϊς πάσαις ὁ ἅγιος Πιτηρούμ· Ὑμεϊς ἐστε σαλαί. Αὔτη γὰρ καὶ ὑμῶν καὶ ἐμοῦ ἀμείνων οὖσα ἀμμᾶς ἐστιν· καὶ εὔχομαι ἀξιος αὔτῆς εὐρεθῆναι ἐν τῇ ἡμέρᾳ τῆς κρίσεως. Ἀκούσασαι δὲ τούτων ἔπεσαν αὐτοῦ εἰς τοὺς πόδας, κλαὶουσαι καὶ ἐξομολογούμεναι πᾶσαι, πῶς διαφόρως τὴν ἀγιαν ταύτην ἐλύπουν· ἡ μὲν λέγουσα. Ἐγὼ αὐτὴν ἂεὶ ἐχλεύαζον· καὶ ἄλλη· Ἐγὼ δὲ τὸ σχῆμα αὐτῆς ταπεινὸν κατεγέλων· καὶ ἑτέρα. Ἐγὼ αὐτὴν ὕβριζον σιωπῶσαν· καὶ πάλιν ἀλλη· Ἐγὼ τοῦ πίνακος τὸ ἀπόπλυρα πολλάκις αὐτῇ κατέχεα· ἀλλη· Πληγὰς αὐτῇ ἐγὼ ἔδωκα· καὶ ἑτέρα πάλιν· Ἐγὼ ἤμην κονδύλος αὐτῇ ἐντριψαμένη· ἀλλη πάλιν· Ἐγὼ πολλάκις τὴν ῥινα αὐτῆς ἐσιναπησα· καὶ ἁπαξαπλως, πᾶσαι διαφόρους ὕβρεις ἀπήγγελλον πεποιηκοϊαι εἰς αὐτήν. Δεξάμενος οὖν αὐτῶν τὴν ἐξομολόγησιν ὁ ἅγιος Πιτηροὺμ, καὶ εὐξάμενος ὑπὲρ αὐτῶν ἅμα αὐτῇ, καὶ ἐπὶ πολὺ παρακαλέσας τὴν τιμίαν τοῦ Χριστοῦ δούλην, οὕτως ἐξῆλθεν. Μετὰ δὲ ὀλίγας ἡμέρας ὑπὸ πασῶν τιμωμένη μεγάλως, καὶ παρὰ πασῶν θεραπεὺομένη, μὴ ἐνεγκοῦσα ἐκείνη ἡ μακαρῖτις τὴν δόξαν καὶ τὴν τιμὴν τὴν παρὰ πάσης τῆς ἀδελφότητος, καὶ τὰς ἀπολογίας, ἄχθος τοῦτο ἡγησαμένη, λάθρα ἐξῆλθεν τοῦ μοναστηρίου· καὶ ὅπου ἀπῆλθεν, ἤ ποῦ κατέδυ, ἤ ποῦ ἐτελεύτυσαν, ἔγνω οὐδεὶς ἄχρι τῆς δεῦρο.   Ἡ Προς Λαυσον Ἱστορια, Παλλαδιος

In this monastery was a certain nun named Isidora, who for Christ appeared as a fool, indeed as one possessed, and by the greatest humility and abasement she proved an example to virtue. The rest of the nuns there held her in contempt, not understanding her, and she with grace accepted it. She was kept in the kitchen there to serve everyone, as a slave attendant to every command, and she was happy, so to speak, to be the sponge of the assembly, fulfilling her service, for as it is written in the Gospel: 'He among you who wishes to be great let him be the slave and servant of all.' 1 And 'If someone would appear wise in this age let him be a fool that he might be wise.' Though all the others were tonsured, she heaped rags on her head and with these rags wrapped around her head she performed her every service. Not one of the other four hundred even knew how old she was, for they would not sit with her at table and they would ward her off to eat apart, but she did not respond to this, she did not assert her pride, she did not reply with a little or great word, although insulted and rejected, and to the many she was an absurdity. Regarding this woman, then, an angel appeared to the Holy Piteroum in the Porphyrites, when he was sitting withdrawn. The angel said to him, ' Why do you think that you will more easily obtain great things sitting in this place? Do you wish to know of a woman more advanced than you? Go then to the monastery of Tabennisi and seek one there who has a crown upon her head. She is better than you. She struggles with the crowd and endures every suffering, and her heart does not fall away from God though she is abused by everyone. But you sit here wandering in your mind through city streets you have never never walked down.' The Great Piteroum rose and went to the monastery of Tabennisi and begged the guardians there to let him meet the women. On account of his fame and age they gladly allowed him access and he crossed over the river. Then after praying for them the great man looked among the women for the one he sought but she did not appear to him among all those gathered together. Eventually he said to them, 'The one who the angel told me to find is not here.' They replied, 'We do have a crazy woman here; but we keep her in the kitchen.' The famed one said ' Bring her out and allow me to see her.' And so they went and summoned her. But she did not obey sensing what was happening, indeed perhaps it was revealed to her. But by force they dragged her out, saying to her, ' The holy Piteroum wishes to see you,' for his name was famous. And as she stood there troubled, seeing her face and the rags on her head, Piteroum fell down at her feet and said, ' Bless me, mother.' And she fell down at his feet and said, ' You bless me, my lord.' And everyone seeing these things were astonished and they said to him, 'Father, do not suffer her; she is a crazy woman' The Holy Piteroum said to them, ' We are the mad; she is better than us and the mother of you and me; and I pray I will be worthy of her on the Day of Judgement.' Hearing this they all fell at his feet, weeping and confessing how they had grieved this holy woman: one said ' I doused her with dirty water'; another said, ' I mocked her plain attire.' And another: 'I was haughty and silent with her.' And another: ' I threw plate scrapings at her.' And another: ' I beat her.' And another: ' I rapped her knuckles .' And Another: I often spread mustard on her nose.' And in general everyone lamented the pride with which they had treated her. Having received their confessions the Holy Piteroum prayed for them, which was of much comfort to the handmaid of Christ, and so he departed. But after a few days, the Holy Woman could no longer endure staying where she was on account of the great honour and considerate attention she now received from everyone, and all the glory and praise which they now bestowed upon her, and so in secret, to save herself, she left the monastery. And no one knew where she went, nor where she ended up, nor indeed what became of her. Lausiac History, Palladius of Galatia  1 Mt 20 26-27 2 1 Cor 3.18