«Then
one other time, during a night-vigil on my own, in my very
tiny hut - because both of us, with Old Arsenios, used to
remain awake at night, each in his own cell with the Prayer
and with tears - I again went into a state of "theory".
My cell became flooded with light, the way it is at
day-time.
Then, in the middle appeared three little children, at most
ten years old each one... of one height... one form... one
attire... one same face in beauty.
And I stood in
wonder
at the sight; I was wholly ecstatic.
They, leaning one against the
other, were blessing me - the three of them together, the
way that a priest blesses - and they melodiously chanted
"Whosoever has been baptized in Christ, has been clothed in
Christ. Hallelujah!"
Well, they
walked towards me, then they backed away, without turning
around, then they again walked towards me, chanting. I stood
there saying to myself in wonder: where did they, at
such a young age, learn how to chant so beautifully and how
to bless? And it never occurred to me that on the Holy
Mountain there are no children of such a young age and with
such a charming countenance...
Then, just as
they had come, they left me, to go and bless others...
And I was left
dazzled... days went by for that joy to disperse and the
memory of them to fade away. But things like that can never
be erased...».
