The Monks who didn't know...

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A story from a Christian source.

 

 

The Monks Who Didn't Know the Lord's Prayer

 

News had reached the Patriarch of all the Russia's that there were three

monks living on an island in the Black Sea and that they were regarded in

and about their area as living saints.

 

His Holiness didn't know what to make of these reports, but being a fair

man, decided to pay a surprise visit to the monks before forming any opinion

of their so-called saintliness.

 

After much traveling he arrived at the Black Sea, and after hiring a

suitable boat, set sail for the island. His arrival created a furor on the

island and the people ran to notify the three monks of the Patriarch's

presence. The monks looked at each other with amazement and, without a word,

turned and ran to greet his Holiness.

 

The three monks fell to their knees before him, their hands held in prayer

and their faces beaming with love and overwhelming joy. His Holiness was

deeply moved by their devotion. Listening to their stumbling greetings he

realized that they were not educated men but their childish sincerity shone

through.

 

He suggested that they retire with him to the monastery so that they could

pray together. He was disturbed to detect a fleeting look of alarm on the

faces of the monks.

 

In the Chapel the Patriarch knelt before the Altar and the monks knelt

behind him. His Holiness began with the Lord's prayer, but stopped when he

realized the monks were not joining in.

 

"Why aren't you praying?" he asked. They hung their heads in shame. "We

don't know the prayer." the first said. "We used to know it." the second

hastily added. "But we forgot." the third lamely finished.

 

His Holiness, seeing their genuine distress and being a kindly man by

nature, spoke very gently. "Would you like me to teach you?Oh yes, Holy

Father." the three replied.

 

So the Patriarch of all the Ruses began to teach the uneducated monks the

prayer. It was hard work. They would no sooner get to the end when they

would forget the beginning, but patiently working with them all day the

Patriarch was at last satisfied that they had finally learned the Lord's

prayer.

 

Exhausted after his efforts the Patriarch returned to his boat, and while

the monks were profusely thanking him, set sail for the mainland.

 

After he had been at sea for some time he turned to watch the sunset behind

him.

 

He was startled to see three small figures racing toward him, feet barely

touching the water.

 

"Come back, Holy Father, come back! We've forgotten the prayer!"