APPHY — Sayings of the Desert Fathers, Alphabetical Collection

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1. They used to say of a bishop of Oxyrrynchus, named Abba Apphy, that when he was a monk he submitted himself to a very severe way of life. When he became a bishop he wished to practise the same austerity, even in the world, but he had not the strength to do so. Therefore he prostrated himself before God saying, 'Has your grace left me because of my episcopate?' Then he was given

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this revelation, 'No, but when you were in solitude and there was no one else it was God who was your helper. Now that you are in the world, it is man.'

Translated by Benedicta Ward, SLG. Edition opa.patristics.desert-fathers.sayings-alphabetical-collection.en.