The letter of Saint Eumenios to his brother in Christ, Antonios Saridakis, was sent from Mount Athos on October 15, 1973.
“…Since, by the grace of God, we have chosen the narrow and afflicted path, we must always be ready to endure temptations from the devil. Therefore, it is good not to neglect or be indifferent, lest we be devoured by the lurking lion, the Devil. Yet even if, as humans, we sometimes lose our path, we have a loving Master who wishes for all to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth, so that He immediately extends His helping hand.
Whenever we call upon Him, He comes instantly to aid us. But we must pursue, as much as we can, holy humility, for humility is the gateway to heaven. God never allows the truly humble to fall. The truly humble, in reality, sees all people as saints within the heavenly circle of God’s throne, and considers only himself as the most sinful and lowest of all creatures on earth.
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The truly humble keeps his head to the feet of all men. Therefore, with all our strength and throughout our lives, we should strive and pray to our Crucified Jesus, who is the ultimate humility, to grant us holy humility as well. Let us endeavor, with the help of our holy God and all our strength, never to accuse, judge, slander, or despise anyone on earth, even if we see them sinning. As much as we can, let us show love and help them.
Regarding dreams and the illusions of devil, we must flee from them as from deadly and poisonous serpents, for this enemy is extremely deceitful, often without our realizing it. Therefore, we must completely reject them and leave everything to God. We do not have the power to discern good from evil, nor are we worthy to see what is truly good. Therefore, we must avoid such things as much as possible.
With God’s help, let us avoid sin, and He will extend His hand to us…
We have nothing of our own, except our sins. All that is good belongs to Christ. Let us only pray for our Christian brothers, who helped me as well, so that Christ may enlighten and protect us. Amen.
With the love of Christ,
Your humble brother,
the sinful Sophronios* — the last of all men on earth.
Be well, and pray also for me, that Christ may have mercy on me and forgive me. Amen.”
*The name he received as a monk
(From Antonios Char. Saridakis, “Saint Elder Eumenios – Gentle and Humble in Heart”)
