An ascetic asked God to reveal His mysteries to him. So, once he was going to a village and on the way, he met an angel. However, the ascetic didn’t recognize that this person was an angel; he thought he was a man. As they went along, they came across a dead horse. The ascetic held his nose, but the angel didn’t. They went further on. They came across a dead cow that stank. Again, the ascetic held his nose, but not the angel. They went further on and came across a dead dog. The ascetic held his nose, but not the angel. When they were about to reach the village, they met a very beautiful maiden with jewelry and a costly dress. Then the angel held his nose. When the ascetic saw this, he said to him. “What are you? An angel, a man, or a devil? We came across the dead horse that stank and you didn’t hold your nose. Likewise, also with the cow and the dog, and I didn’t see you hold your nose. And now when we met such a beautiful maiden, you hold your nose? Then the angel revealed himself and said to the ascetic. “No other thing is more odious before God than pride.” And when he had said these words, the angel disappeared. Immediately, the ascetic returned to his dwelling and wept for his sins and begged God to preserve him from the snares of the devil, and not cast him into pride.”
From the Teaching of St. Kosmas of Aitolia
Translated by Dr. Nick Stergiou
