One of the monks once recounted a story, as a testimony to the greatness and mercy of the Lord. God is always present in the lives of the faithful who approach Him with sincerity and clear conscience.
According to tradition, a spiritually enlightened elder, known for his virtuous and charismatic spirit, once found himself in the desert. Many people began to approach him in order to confess their sins. Among them, there was a humble man—a shepherd who was illiterate and had never been taught the values of Christianity. He could not recognize the meaning of sin and his only desire was to be saved from death, looking toward heaven and eternal life.
His Encounter with the Spiritual Elder
When he met the elder and expressed his concern, the latter told him that if he stayed in a straight path, he would reach his goal. The man, being unlettered and humble, interpreted the elder’s instructions literally. Therefore, he decided to follow them exactly as they were spoken. He began walking straight, without deviating from his path, so that after three days, he arrived at a monastery. There, he spoke with the abbot, explaining how he had come to that place and what his purpose was. From his words, the abbot recognized the innocence of his soul. He welcomed him into the monastery, tonsured him as a monk, and entrusted him with the care of the church.
On one occasion, during a conversation, the man found the courage to ask, full of ignorance and wonder:
"Who is this man, who stands crucified above the altar and suffers constantly from hunger and thirst?"
He was so innocent and sincere that he had come to serve the Lord’s temple without even recognizing the face of the Savior. The abbot, wishing to test his obedience, answered that this was an old novice of the monastery who had not properly followed the commandments and was therefore being punished with crucifixion.
His Encounter with Christ
The monk accepted the abbot’s explanation without any objection. However, at night, when he sat down to his meal after completing his duties, he asked the Crucified Christ to come down and eat with him. He even invoked God as his witness, swearing that if He did not come, he himself would reject meal.
The Lord, who dwells and brings peace in the hearts of all good people, replied that He feared to come down, in case the abbot would see Him and become furious.
After the monk’s persistence, Christ appeared, as if in a vision, and sat down to dine with him. Every night they would eat and converse together. The other monks could hear their conversations, but whenever they entered the church, they saw no one. The man, not wishing to betray the Lord, would reassure them that he was alone.
Driven by curiosity, they asked another monk, who was very dear to him, to find out what was happening. The man confessed everything: that he met with the person standing on the cross and that He had promised to welcome him into His Father’s house as a reward for the meals they shared.
When the abbot learned the details of this miracle, he called the young monk and asked him to intercede with the Lord on his behalf. He wished for Christ to appear and receive him in His Kingdom as well.
The young monk, filled with good intentions, did indeed ask the Lord for what had been requested. However, Christ denied, saying that the abbot was not worthy even of the crumbs that fell from the table of their shared meals.
The Abbot’s Repentance
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The next morning, when the abbot heard those words, he fell into deep sorrow. Hoping in God’s mercy, he tearfully begged the young monk to continue pleading and ask for forgiveness so that he, too, might partake in the heavenly Kingdom. The monk continued to intercede with God, who remained steadfast in His decision.
At one point, moved by virtue and compassion, the monk said to Him:
"Why do You claim that the abbot is unworthy, since if it were not for the bread he provided us all these days, we would have died of hunger! Even for this act of kindness, can You not accept him?"
The man’s extreme humility and love overcame all sin. The Lord replied:
"So be it. I will do as you ask, only so that you will be happy, for your great love and care for your neighbor. Tell him to repent, and in eight days come and partake of the joys prepared for both of you."
When the abbot heard this, he rejoiced and began to practice in strict asceticism. He repented, fasted, and prayed, until he received the Holy Communion. He soon fell ill, and within eight days, he surrendered his soul to the Lord. The young monk also passed away, resting in the same spot where he used to converse with Christ.
The purity of his spirit, his complete obedience, and his kindness became an exemplary model, both for the other ascetics of the monastery and for all the faithful, who to this day are inspired by the example of his personal story.
