Euphrosynos was a 9th century monk. He came from a poor background, and so was “coarse” by the standards of the other monks. Because of his “coarseness” Euphrosynos worked in the monastary kitchens. The monks teased and tormented him horribly because of his lack of education – themselves forgetting the radical egalitarianism of the monastic spirit. Euphrosynos bore the insults of his “brethren” with amazing equanimity.
One night, a pius priest of the monastary had a vision. In it he found himself in an amazingly beautiful garden, alongside Euphrosynos. The priest asked the lowly monk about the garden, and learned that it was Paradise. He then asked what Euphrosynos did there, and the monk answered – “I live here, celebrating the beauty of the place”. The priest then asked if he too might have something to remind him of this wonder. Euphrosynos replied, that he can have whatever he would like. The priest asked him for some rather splendid apples he saw on a nearby tree. Euphrosynos gladly picked for him three apples.
When the priest awoke, he found the apples on his pillow. He quickly found Euphrosynos and asked: “Where were you last night brother?” “I was with you,” replied the monk. The priest went in search of the other monks to tell them what had happened. Upon hearing his story, and seeing the amazing apples, they went in search of Euphrosynos in his kitchen.
His humility was such, that before they arrived, Euphrosynos fled into the forest – where he remained for the rest of his life. Needless to say the monks were greatly chastised by the whole experience, and reformed their attitudes and actions toward others.
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.