The Lausiac History

SABAS

^ [A MAN named Sabas, a layman,^ a native of Jericho, became so enamoured of the monks that he went the round of the cells and the desert at nights and at each habitation put outside a bushel of dates, and a sufficiency of vegetables, because the ascetics of the Jordan do not eat bread. One day a lion met him and, taking him by surprise, chased him for a mile and then turned back, took his ass and went off.]

ABRAMIUS

There was a certain Abramius, an Egyptian by race, who lived a very rough and savage life in the wilderness. Afflicted in his mind by an untimely fancy, he went to the church and contended with the priests, saying : "I

1 Cf. XLI. * K0(X^JLlK6s.

158 THE LAUSIAC HISTORY

have been ordained a priest by Christ this night, accept me as a celebrant." The fathers removed him from the desert and led him to a less ascetic and calmer life, and cured him of his presumption, bringing this man who had been deluded by the demon to a knowledge of his own weakness.