A novice came into the monastery. He knocked on the door, begging for admittance. The abbot came to the door, looked at him, and shut the door in his face. The next day, the novice was still there, begging for admittance. The abbot came to the door, looked at him, and shut the door in his face. On the third day, the same happened. And the fourth. And the fifth. On the tenth, the abbot came to the door, looked at him, and opened the door. The novice entered.
-From “The Paterikon of the Great Coenobium” (The Sayings, Book III, 4:8-11)
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
The Warrior of the WordA week of traveling the marshes satisfied even Voran’s appreciation for their beauties. He and Tarin now seemed to be beyond the knowledge of any people whatsoever. The only inhabitants of these lands were the many
