Discourses of Dorotheos of Gaza

by Dorotheus of Gaza

What did the blessed Ammon do when these brothers, being greatly troubled, came to him and said, "Come and see, father. There is a young woman in the brother's room." What care he showed to the errant brother. What great love was there in that noble soul. Understanding that the brother had hidden the woman in a large barrel he entered, and sat down on it and told the others to search the area. And when they came up with nothing he said to him, "May God forgive you." And so dismissing them with shame, he called out to them that they should not quickly believe anything against their neighbor. By his care, for this brother he not only guarded him after God but reproved him when the right time came. Because when they were alone he put his hand on him, the one with which he had cast out the others, and said, "Take care of yourself, brother." Straightaway the brothers' conscience was pricked and he was smitten with regret, so quickly did the mercy and compassion of the old man work in his soul.