life.john_kal.02 Chapter 1

And when the hater of what is good, that is to say, the Devil, saw him, he became angry with a very great anger, for he could not contain himself when he saw the great ascetic labours which John performed in his daily life, and the great renown (which he obtained).

Therefore the Devil brought into his mind the remembrance of his parents,

and he endeavoured continually to make him remiss in his exercises. And moreover he made him to become more and more apathetic in the observance of his frequent fastings, and his vigils which lasted the whole night long.

And the body of John became weak and infirm, and he became more and more emaciated.

And when the Archimandrite saw him he marvelled at the weakness which had come upon him, for he was wellnigh ready to die,

and he said unto him, ' Have I not told thee from the very beginning that God doth not demand from us anything which is beyond our strength,

and yet thou hast made thyself weak and helpless through the exhaustion caused by thine excessive labours?

And John said unto him, 'Forgive me, O my lord father, it is not the excess of ascetic labour which hath increased weakness in me, but the remembrance of my parents which Satan hath cast into my heart, and the thought of the misery which is in my house.