<An old monk persuades Theognius to leave Flavia’s foundation in Jerusalem and go into the desert.> Hearing these words of advice, the blessed one embraced the old man and went out into the desert. He attached himself to that celebrated man, the most God-loving and most pious archimandrite Theodosius, and lived in his monastery for several years. Then a trial came upon Theognius, when some pimples appeared on his finger, became inflamed and burst, so that a lot of blood flowed from the (diseased) spot day after day. As he was distressed by this (trouble), a man who was experienced in these things gave him the following opinion: “Since the hill-country is cold, and the pain that oppresses you requires a warmer climate, go down to the Jordan valley, and if you stay there (for a while), you will be cured within a few days”. So he went down there and took up residence in the Laura of Calamon, and very soon was free of the disease. He was passionately devoted to solitude and prayers. Now it happened that, before Theognius’ arrival, a dreadful snake used to lurk in that cave, whence it would creep out into the desert after its sleep, coming back again from the desert into its den. The first day, when the blessed one received the cell from the hegumen, the snake returning from outside saw him in possession (of the cave), sitting inside and making baskets. For he never stopped working to his last day, and while he worked, if nobody disturbed him, he would wet his handwork with tears. Now that beast put its head inside the door, while the rest of its body remained outside the cell, and it lay there without moving, only watching Theognius. Then the blessed one said (to the snake): “If you are accustomed to live here, come in: I have no objection”. So (the snake) crept in all the way and coiling itself up in a corner stayed quietly there. From that day it continued to do the same; whenever it liked, it went in and out, and the holy man never feared till the day he left the place.
(transl. Leah Di Segni)