All these things, my son, are heaped together in a
monastery."
Hearing this, the blessed Simeon fell at his feet, saying, "Thou art
my father and my mother, and my teacher of good works, and guide to
the kingdom of heaven. For thou hast gained my soul, which was
already being sunk in perdition. May the Lord repay thee again for
it. For these are the things which edify. I will now go into a
monastery, where God shall choose; and let his will be done on me."
The elder said, "My son, before thou enterest, hear me. Thou shalt
have tribulation; for thou must watch and serve in nakedness, and
sustain ills without ceasing; and again thou shalt be comforted,
thou vessel precious to God."
And forthwith the blessed Simeon, going out of the church, went to
the monastery of the holy Timotheus, a wonder-working man; and
falling down before the gate of the monastery, he lay five days,
neither eating nor drinking. And on the fifth day, the abbot,
coming out, asked him, "Whence art thou, my son? And what parents
hast thou, that thou art so afflicted? Or what is thy name, lest
perchance thou hast done some wrong? Or perchance thou art a slave,
and fleest from thy master?" Then the blessed Simeon said with
tears, "By no means, master; but I long to be a servant of God, if
he so will, because I wish to save my lost soul. Bid me, therefore,
enter the monastery, and leave all; and send me away no more." Then
the Abbot, taking his hand, introduced him into the monastery,
saying to the brethren, "My sons, behold I deliver you this brother;
teach him the canons of the monastery.
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