Christ and Him Crucified

St. John Moschos ca. 550-619

Three elders went to visit the same Abba Stephen the priest and whilst they remained there talking about what is beneficial to the soul he remained silent. The elders asked him: ‘You are not answering us father. It was for the benefit [of your counsel] that we came to you’. The he said to them: ‘Forgive me, but I did not know what you were talking about until just now. But I can tell you what is the matter with me; I can see nothing else, either by night or by day, but our Lord Jesus Christ hanging on the Cross’. They went away greatly edified. (The Spiritual Meadow, 64.)