XANTHIAS — Sayings of the Desert Fathers, Alphabetical Collection

¶1

1. Abba Xanthias said, 'The thief was on the cross and he was justified by a single word; and Judas who was counted in the number of the apostles lost all his labour in one single night and descended from heaven to hell. Therefore, let no-one boast of his good works, for all those who trust in themselves fall.'

¶2

2. Abba Xanthias went up from Scetis to Terenuthis one day. In the place where he rested he was offered a little wine, because of the demands of the journey. When they heard that he was there, some others brought him one possessed by the devil. The devil began to insult the old man, 'You have brought me to this winebibber!' The old man did not want to cast him out, but because of the insult he said, 'I have confidence in Christ that I shall not finish this cup before you have gone out.' When the old man began to drink, the devil cried out, saying, 'You are burning me, you are burning me!' and before he had finished the devil went out by the grace of Christ.

¶3

3. The same abba said, 'A dog is better than I am, for he has love and he does not judge.'

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