Paragraph:
7
Translation:
An old man resided in the Laura of the Towers. When the hegumen died, the priests and the other fathers of the Laura wanted to choose him as hegumen, for he was a great and virtuous man. But the old man appealed to them with these words: “Let me bewail my sins, fathers, for I am not a man to take care of souls: this is a work for the great Fathers, like Anthony and the such”. However, the brothers did not let him be and every day they repeated their request; but he could not be persuaded. But when he saw himself extremely pressed by them all, he said: “Give me three days to pray, then, whatever is God’s will, I shall do it”. This was Friday, and on Sunday morning he died.
(transl. Leah Di Segni)
Summary:
When the hegumen of the laura dies, an old man residing there refuses to take his place.