A brother once visited Abba Serapion. The Elder invited him to offer a prayer, according to custom; but he did not obey, calling himself a sinner and unworthy of the monastic schema. The Elder also wanted to wash his feet, but the brother did not consent to it, using the same words (that is, "I am a sinner and unworthy of the monastic schema").
The Elder then set the table and proposed that they sit down to eat. He sat down with the Elder and began to eat with him. During the meal, the Elder admonished him and said: "My son, if you want to be edified, stay patiently in your cell and pay attention to yourself and to your handiwork; for going out and visiting others does not profit you as much as staying in your cell."
When the brother heard the Elder saying these things, he was displeased, and the expression on his face altered so much that the Elder could not fail to notice it. Therefore, Abba Serapion said to him:
"Up to now you have been saying 'I am a sinner,' censuring yourself, and judging yourself unworthy even to live; and yet, when I counselled you lovingly you became as angry as a wild beast. If you want to be humble then, learn to accept courageously whatever others say to you, and do not just speak fine words that have no content."
On hearing this, the brother made a prostration to the Elder and went away, greatly edified.
Source: Evergetinos
The Elder then set the table and proposed that they sit down to eat. He sat down with the Elder and began to eat with him. During the meal, the Elder admonished him and said: "My son, if you want to be edified, stay patiently in your cell and pay attention to yourself and to your handiwork; for going out and visiting others does not profit you as much as staying in your cell."
When the brother heard the Elder saying these things, he was displeased, and the expression on his face altered so much that the Elder could not fail to notice it. Therefore, Abba Serapion said to him:
"Up to now you have been saying 'I am a sinner,' censuring yourself, and judging yourself unworthy even to live; and yet, when I counselled you lovingly you became as angry as a wild beast. If you want to be humble then, learn to accept courageously whatever others say to you, and do not just speak fine words that have no content."
On hearing this, the brother made a prostration to the Elder and went away, greatly edified.
Source: Evergetinos
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