The blessed Theophilus the Archbishop once went to the mountain of Nitria, and the abba of the mountain came to him. The archbishop asked, “Father, what have you found to be greatest in this way?” The elder replied, “Always to accuse and blame oneself.” Abba Theophilus said, “There is no other way but this.”
The same Abba Theophilus the Archbishop once went to Scetis. The brothers gathered and said to Abba Pambo, “Speak a word to the pope, so that he may benefit.” The elder said, “If he is not helped by my silence, neither will he be helped by my words.”
The Fathers once came to Alexandria, summoned by Theophilus the Archbishop to pray while the temples were being torn down. As they ate with him, veal was set before them, and they ate without making any distinction. The bishop took a piece and gave it to the elder nearest him, saying, “Here is a good piece. Eat, Abba.” They answered, “Until now we thought we were eating vegetables. If this is meat, we do not eat.” None of them tasted any more of it.
The same Abba Theophilus said, “What fear, trembling, and distress we will see when the soul is separated from the body! An army and power of opposing forces comes against us—the rulers of darkness, the world-rulers of wickedness, the principalities and authorities, the spirits of evil. In a kind of judicial proceeding they hold the soul and bring forward all its sins, those committed knowingly and unknowingly, from youth until the age at which it is taken. They stand there accusing it of everything it has done. What trembling do you think the soul has in that hour, until the judgment is issued and it is set free? This is its hour of distress, until it sees what will happen to it. The divine powers also stand opposite the adversaries, bringing forward the soul’s good deeds. Consider, then, with what fear and trembling the soul stands between them until its case receives a decision from the righteous Judge. If it is found worthy, the adversaries are rebuked, and the soul is taken from them by the angels. From then on it is free from care; rather, it dwells according to what is written, ‘The dwelling of all who rejoice is in You.’ Then the Scripture is fulfilled: ‘Pain, sorrow, and groaning have fled away.’ Set free, the soul goes to that inexpressible joy and glory in which it will be established. But if it is found to have lived negligently, it hears that most terrible voice: ‘Let the ungodly be taken away, so that he may not see the glory of the Lord.’ Then it is overtaken by a day of wrath, a day of affliction, a day of darkness and gloom. Handed over to the outer darkness and condemned to the eternal fire, it is punished through unending ages. Then where is the boasting of the world? Where is vainglory? Where luxury? Where enjoyment? Where display? Where rest? Where bragging? Where money? Where noble birth? Where father, mother, or brother? Who can rescue the soul that burns in the fire and is held in bitter torments? Since these things are so, what sort of people ought we to be in holy conduct and godliness? What love should we acquire? What manner of life? What course? What diligence, prayer, and watchfulness? Since we await these things, let us strive to be found spotless and blameless before Him in peace, so that we may be counted worthy to hear Him say, ‘Come, blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world,’ for ever and ever. Amen.”
As the same Abba Theophilus the Archbishop was about to die, he said, “Blessed are you, Abba Arsenius, because you always remembered this hour.”