Vigils Reading – SS Basil & Gregory

THE QUALITIES OF THE MONK

From a discourse by St Basil the Great

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First and foremost, the monk should own nothing in this world, but he

should have as his possessions solitude of the body, modesty of bearing, a

modulated tone of voice, and a well-ordered manner of speech. He should be

without anxiety as to his food and drink, and should eat in silence. In the

presence of his superiors, he should hold his tongue; before those wiser than he,

he should hearken to their words. He should have love for his equals, give

charitable counsel to his inferiors, and keep aloof from the wicked, the carnal,

and the officious. He ought to think much but speak little, be not forward in

speech nor given to useless discoursing, not easily moved to laughter, respectful

in bearing, keeping his eyes cast down and his spirit uplifted, not answering

contradiction with contradiction, docile. He should work with his hands, be ever

mindful of his last end, joyful in hope, patient in adversity, unceasingly

prayerful, giving thanks in all things, humble toward everyone, hating pride,

sober and watchful to keep his heart from evil thoughts.

He ought to heap up treasures in heaven by observing the

commandments, examining himself as to his daily thoughts and actions, not

entangling himself in the occupations and superfluities of the world. It ill befits

him to concern himself about those who lead careless lives; he should emulate

the life of the holy fathers, rejoicing with those who are successful in the practice

of virtue and not envying them. He must sympathize with the suffering and

weep with them, sorrowing deeply for these, but not on any account should he

condemn them, nor upbraid him who has renounced his sin, nor ever justify

himself. He should, above all, confess before God and men that he is a sinner. It

is his duty, moreover, to admonish the undisciplined, encourage the faint-

hearted, minister to the sick, wash the feet of the saints, and be mindful of the

duties of hospitality and fraternal charity. He must preserve peace with the

members of the household of the faith, shun the heretic, read the canonical

Scriptures. He should spend his time in good words and deeds. He should

converse without deceit, speak no word against anyone, and neither gossip nor

take pleasure in listening to gossip. He should not be quick to trust evil report of

anyone, nor be mastered by ill temper nor overcome by despondency. He ought

not to become angry with his neighbor without cause, nor nurse wrath against

anyone, nor return evil for evil. It behooves him to be reviled rather than to

revile, to be struck rather than to strike, to be wronged rather than to do wrong,

to be despoiled rather than to despoil.

He must not grow weary in observing the precepts of the Lord to the best

of his ability, but he should await reward and praise from Him, continuing in his

desire for the enjoyment of everlasting life. Moreover he should love God as a

son, with his whole heart and strength and mind and with all the power that is in

him; but as a servant he should reverence, fear, and obey Him and work out his

salvation in fear and trembling, fervent in spirit, girt about with the full armor of

the Holy Spirit.

But, over and above all this, he must be mindful of the words of the

Apostle: “For the sufferings of this time are not worthy to be compared with

the glory to come that will be revealed in us”.