ELDER GIVE ME A WORD

‘Elder give me a word’ is a small monthly email service of spiritual sayings and teachings from the Fathers of the Orthodox Church. Its particular focus is on the Desert Fathers of the fourth and fifth centuries. The title ‘Elder give me a word’ was a phrase used by monastics when seeking spiritual counsel from an ‘abba’ or ‘amma’ (spiritual father/elder or mother).  In monastic circles, the role of the elder was of paramount importance, as he was the one who, knowing God from his own experience, was able to guide, discern and intercede for his spiritual children. His words were words of life; they gave life. They were not theological discourses, or words for debate or negotiation but a word which, if applied, would grant life to the disciple. The dedication shown to the words of an elder, particularly in monastic circles, is evident in the following account:

A monk once came to St Basil the Great of Caesarea and said, ‘Elder give me a word,’ and St Basil replied, ‘Thou shalt Love the lord thy God with all thy heart’, and the monk went away at once. Twenty years later he came back, and said, ‘Father, I have struggled to keep your word; now speak another word to me,’ and he said, ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thy self,’ and the monk returned in obedience to his cell to keep that also.

We pray that this small email service conveys the spirit of the Fathers to our era. Of course, each saying needs to be read within the context in which it was given. They cannot be applied to one’s life indiscriminately, but they are to inspire an imitation, dedication, and determination to live in the spirit of the Desert Fathers.

If perhaps you are aware of such a saying or teaching, from the Fathers of our Orthodox Church, and wish to share it with our readers, we would be only too pleased to receive your email.

Prayerfully Yours

Pantanassa Monastery