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edified their companions by the purity of their lives。 One； who had been
cook to the Queen of Abyssinia； and was converted by the Abbot of
Antinoe； never ceased to weep。 There was also Flavian； the deacon； who
knew the Scriptures； and spoke well； but the disciple of Paphnutius who
surpassed all the others in holiness was a young peasant named Paul； and
surnamed the Fool； because of his extreme simplicity。 Men laughed at his
childishness； but God favoured him with visions； and by bestowing upon
him the gift of prophecy。
Paphnutius passed his life in teaching his disciples； and in ascetic
practices。 Often did he meditate upon the Holy Scriptures in order to find
allegories in them。 Therefore he abounded in good works； though still
young。 The devils； who so rudely assailed the good hermits； did not dare
to approach him。 At night； seven little jackals sat in the moonlight in front
of his cell； silent and motionless； and with their ears pricked up。 It was
believed that they were seven devils； who； owing to his sanctity； could not
cross his threshold。
Paphnutius was born at Alexandria of noble parents； who had
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instructed him in all profane learning。 He had even been allured by the
falsehoods of the poets； and in his early youth had been misguided enough
to believe that the human race had all been drowned by a deluge in the
days of Deucalion； and had argued with his fellow…scholars concerning the
nature； the attributes； and even the existence of God。 He then led a life of
dissipation； after the manner of the Gentiles； and he recalled the memory
of those days with shame and horror。
〃At that time；〃 he used to say to the brethren； 〃I seethed in the
cauldron of false delights。〃
He meant by that that he had eaten food properly dressed； and
frequented the public baths。 In fact； until his twentieth year he had
continued to lead the ordinary existence of those times； which now seemed
to him rather death than life； but； owing to the lessons of the priest
Macrinus； he then became a new man。
The truth penetrated him through and through； andas he used to say
entered his soul like a sword。 He embraced the faith of Calvary； and
worshipped Christ crucified。 After his baptism he remained yet a year
amongst the Gentiles； unable to cast off the bonds of old habits。 But one
day he entered a church； and heard a deacon read from the Bible； the verse；
〃If thou wilt be perfect； go and sell that thou hast； and give to the poor。〃
Thereupon he sold all that he had； gave away the money in alms； and
embraced the monastic life。
During the ten years that he had lived remote from men； he no longer
seethed in the cauldron of false delights； but more profitably macerated his
flesh in the balms of penitence。
One day when； according to his pious custom； he was recalling to
mind the hours he had lived apart from God； and examining his sins one
by one； that he might the better ponder on their enormity； he remembered
that he had seen at the theatre at Alexandria a very beautiful actress named
Thais。 This woman showed herself in the public games； and did not
scruple to perform dances； the movements of which； arranged only too
cleverly； brought to mind the most horrible passions。 Sometimes she
imitated the horrible deeds which the Pagan fables ascribe to Venus； Leda；
or Pasiphae。 Thus she fired all the spectators with lust； and when
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handsome young men； or rich old ones； came； inspired with love； to hang
wreaths of flowers round her door； she welcomed them； and gave herself
up to them。 So that； whilst she lost her own soul； she also ruined the souls
of many others。
She had almost led Paphnutius himself into the sins of the flesh。 She
had awakened desire in him； and he had once approached the house of
Thais。 But he stopped on the threshold of the courtesan's house； partly
restrained by the natural timidity of extreme youthhe was then but fifteen
years oldand partly by the fear of being refused on account of his want of
money； for his parents took care that he should commit no great
extravagances。
God； in His mercy； had used these two means to prevent him from
committing a great sin。 But Paphnutius had not been grateful to Him for
that； because at that time he was blind to his own interests； and did not
know that he was lusting after false delights。 Now； kneeling in his cell；
before the image of that holy cross on which hung； as in a balance； the
ransom of the world； Paphnutius began to think of Thais； because Thais
was a sin to him； and he meditated long； according to ascetic rules； on the
fearful hideousness of the carnal delights with which this woman had
inspired him in the days of his sin and ignorance。 After some hours of
meditation the image of Thais appeared to him clearly and distinctly。 He
saw her again； as he had seen her when she tempted him； in all the beauty
of the flesh。 At first she showed herself like a Leda； softly lying upon a
bed of hyacinths； her head bowed； her eyes humid and filled with a strange
light； her nostrils quivering； her mouth half open； her breasts like two
flowers； and her arms smooth and fresh as two brooks。 At this sight
Paphnutius struck his breast and said
〃I call Thee to witness； my God； that I have considered how heinous
has been my sin。〃
Gradually the face of the image changed its expression。 Little by little
the lips of Thais； by lowering at the corners of the mouth； expressed a
mysterious suffering。 Her large eyes were filled with tears and lights； her
breast heaved with sighs； like the sighing of a wind that precedes a
tempest。 At this sight Paphnutius was troubled to the bottom of his soul。
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Prostrating himself on the floor； he uttered this prayer
〃Thou who hast put pity in our hearts