The Story of Paisia

 

Extracted from the stories of the desert fathers :

This story was also told about Father John: A young girl named Paisia was orphaned by both her father and mother. She then considered converting her house into an inn for the guests of her parents in Scetis. For a considerable time she stayed there, offering hospitality and serving the priests. But in time, when she had consumed her wealth, she began to suffer hardship. Then, stray men attached themselves to her and diverted her from her good purpose, so much so that she began to behave badly, even to the point of prostitution.  The priests heard about this and were very sad. They called Father John the Dwarf and said to him: "We have heard that this sister is behaving badly, the same one who, when she could, showed us her love. We too would like to show her our love now by helping her. Take the trouble to go to her and, according to the wisdom that God has given you, take charge of her." Father John then went to her and said to the old doorkeeper: "Announce your mistress for me." But the doorkeeper tried to dismiss him with these words: "First you devoured her riches, and now she is in misery." Father John said to her: "Tell her precisely that I can be very useful to her." The servants, laughing, said to him: "What do you have to give him, for her to want to see you?" And he replied: "How will you know what I am going to give her?" The old woman went up to her and told her the story. The young woman said: "These monks always pass by the shore of the Red Sea and find pearls." She dressed herself and said: "Yes, send him to me." When she had gone up, she, warning him, placed herself on the couch. Father John went and sat down beside her and, looking into her face, said: "What reason do you have to complain about Jesus, that you have come to this point?" Hearing these words, she was completely frozen. Father John, bowing his head, began to cry profusely. She asked him: "Why are you crying, Father?" After a small gesture, he drew back again, weeping, and said to her: "I see Satan playing on your face, and should I not weep?" The woman then asked: "Father, is there penitence?" He said to her: "Yes." And she: "Take me wherever you want." He said to her: "Let's go." And she got up to follow him. Father John noticed with amazement that she gave no orders or said anything about her house. When they arrived in the desert it was late; he made a small pillow of sand, made the sign of the cross on it, and said to her: "Sleep here." He went a little way, recited his prayers, and lay down. Awakening around midnight, he saw something like a path of light descending from heaven to her, and saw the angels of God carrying her soul on high. Getting up, he approached her and touched her with his foot; and he saw that she was dead. Then he fell face down on the ground, praying to God. And he heard that the Lord had accepted one hour of her repentance more than many of those who are not animated by such fervor.