262- A Happy War

 

St-Takla.org Image: Saint Moses the Black (Mousa Al Aswad) and St. Isidore (Isithoros) the priest of the cells, modern Coptic icon. صورة في موقع الأنبا تكلا: القديس الأنبا موسي الأسود والقديس الأنبا ايسيذوروس قس القلالى - أيقونة قبطية حديثة.

Before accepting faith, Abba Moussa lived in sin, practicing evil in its worst forms. After accepting faith and his baptism, he struggled from time to time with evil desires. One day he went to Abba Isithoros complaining. Abba Isithoros started encouraging him, giving him hope and finally asked him to go back to his cell but Abba Moussa replied that he would not be able. Therefore, Abba Isithoros took him to the roof of the church. He asked him to look to the west where they saw many devils ready for war, then to the east where they saw many angels glorifying God. Abba Isithoros explained, “Those we saw in the west are fighting us and those we saw in the east are helping us. Shouldn’t we then feel encouraged and strong since God’s angels are fighting for us?”

Abba Moussa was so happy to hear this and went to his cell praising God.

→ English translation of the story here at St-Takla.org: حرب مفرحة!

The devil will not stop fighting me,

Until I meet You face to face.

Your angels will not stop to sustain me.

You are the Conqueror and Victory Giver.

Let my soul rejoice in the middle of war,

Since heavenly victories await the winners.

You’d Be beneath Me

Short Stories (Stories for the Youth) Books by Father Tadros Yacoub Malaty

The Room of Memories