The Amazing Miracle of a Dead Girl
Who Detained Her Despoiler and Would Not Let Him Go
Until He Promised to Become a Monk
By St. John Moschos
When we were visiting Abba John, abbot of the Giants' Monastery at Theoupolis, he told us the following story:
Not long ago a young man came to me saying: "For God's sake, take me in, for I want to repent" - and he was weeping bitterly whilst he said this. I could see that he was deeply troubled and perplexed.
"Tell me how you have come to such compunction," I said.
He replied: "Abba, I most certainly am a sinner, sir."
Again I said to him: "Believe me child, just as there are many and different kinds of sin, so there are many cures. If you wish to be healed, tell me truthfully what deeds you have committed so that I can apply suitable penances. One does not apply the same treatment to a fornicator and to a murderer and to a sorcerer. Greed is treated one way; lying, anger, theft, adultery - each has its proper medication. But rather than go listing sins for you, let me say that just as we see various remedies applied to different physical infirmities, so too for the sins of the soul (which are many) a variety of medicines are available."
