Abba Athanasius transcribed the entire Old and New Testament on beautiful parchment, which cost eighteen gold coins. One day a certain brother came to him and, seeing the book, took it away. That same day, Abba Athanasius wanted to read from a book. Having discovered her disappearance, he realized that that brother had taken her, but did not send to ask him for fear that he would add a lie to the theft.
Meanwhile, the brother went to a neighboring town to sell the book and asked for sixteen gold coins for it. The buyer told him:
“Entrust me with the book so that I can find out if it is worth that kind of money,” and he brought the book to Saint Athanasius with the words: “Father, look at this book and tell me, do you think I should buy it for sixteen gold coins?” Is she worth the money?
Abba Athanasius replied:
- Yes, this is a good book. She's worth the money.
The buyer went to his brother and told him:
- Here's your money. I showed the book to Abba Athanasius. He found her beautiful and considered that she was worth at least sixteen coins.
Brother asked:
“Is that all he told you?” Did he add anything else?
“No,” answered the buyer, “not another word.”
“Okay,” said the brother, “I changed my mind.” I don't want to sell this book anymore.
And he hurried to Abba Athanasius and with tears begged him to take his book back. Avva refused with the words:
- Go in peace, brother, I give it to you.
But the brother replied:
“If you don’t take her, I will never have peace.”
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru