'It befitteth thee, Abbot Zosimus, to pray and to bless, because thou art authorised by the sacerdotal dignity, and thou preachest Christ's mysteries with the gifts of divine things, serving at his holy altar for many years.'
These words verily brought upon Zosimus great awe and fright, and he trembled, and was suffused with drops of sweat. Then he began to sigh as if utterly weakened and choked in his breath, and thus said, ' Oh thou spiritual mother, reveal now who thou art in that appearance, because thou art verily God's handmaiden. Intercede for me now, [thou who art] rendered dead to the younger portion as regards this world; herein appeareth in thee the divine love most of all, that thou hast named me by name whom thou never before sawest. But because grace is not discovered by (personal) merit, but [its] wont is to be witnessed by the soul's deeds; bless thou me for the Lord's sake, I pray thee, and give me the prayer, never to be taken away, of thy perfection.'
Then she began to sympathise with the wise old man's steadfastness, and said, ' God be blessed who taketh care for the salvation of souls.' Then she gave Zosimus [her blessing, he] answering, ' Amen.'
Then they both arose from the earth. Then began the woman again to speak to the old man, and thus said: ' Oh man, for what purpose camest thou to me, a sinner? Nevertheless, since the grace of the Holy Ghost has directed thee so that thou mayest perform some small service to the advantage of my poor body, tell me how, now-a-days, Christ's people are governed in the world, and how the emperor's [matters stand]; or how the flock
