St. Silouan's Virtues

For a Catholic hermit, the virtues which St. Silouan exhibited are worthy of emulation.

His contant spiritual weeping avoided sentimentality or complaint, no trace of hysteria. In his chastity, besides bodily control, he avoided any thought that might displease God. He mixed with all peoples, loving sinners and saints alike. He was fearless in the face of temptation, had fortitude but did not come across as overly self-assured. He existed in awe of God and possessed a combined courage with meekness.

The Staretz possessed a deep humility. He liked to honour others but to be unconsidered himself, to greet others before being greeted. He set particular store by the blessings of bishops and abbots, and indeed of all in Holy Orders, but he was never obsequious or ingratiating. He had a genuine respect for people of rank and education, but no feeling of jealousy or inferiority--possibly because of his profound realization of the transcience of worldy position, wealth or even scholarship. He knew how 'greatly the Lord loveth His people,' and his love for God and man made him value and respect every man.

Simplicity cloaked his outer mannerisms but his spirt was aristocratic. He did not spurn or disregard and did not stoop to affectation. Silouan did not try to impress others; there was nothing ignoble in him. He did not laugh aloud, never derided or made fun of people. It is said that on occasion a faint smile would cross his lips, but he did not otherwise move his lips except in speaking.

Anger as a passion had no place in his heart, yet all that was false, evil and ugly he opposed absolutely. Backbiting, pettiness, narrow-mindedness and the like found no support in him. when he encountered them he would show himself inflexible, yet contrive not to wound the man guilty of them, either by a visible reaction or an impulse of his heart (for a sensitive man would feel that too). This he attained by inner prayer, which kept him serence and unreceptive of any evil.

One time a very famous, ascetic monk visited, and the ascetic shared much of his knowledge, and edified many of the monks. After two months, though, he felt he had not gained profitably in quest of his own spiritual edification. He had many conversations with the brothers, and they were carried away by this monk's teachings and thoughts. Fr. Silouan remained in a corner, listening. At the end of the ascetic's conclave of sorts, he asked to speak privately with Fr. Silouan the next day. Fr. Silouan spent the night in prayer, that the meeting with this knowledgeable ascetic would be beneficial in God.

He had noticed that the ascetic spoke many words but what he said of meeting man's will with God's, and about obedience, had been obscure. When the two met, Fr. Silouan asked this rather impressive Father three questions: How do the perfect speak? What does surrender to the will of God mean? What is the essence of obedience?

The spiritual atmosphere in which Fr. Silouan "dwelt" affected this other priest, no doubt, and he became thoughtful. After a silence, he said, "I don't know. You tell me."

This was the first of a step in humility for this ascetic who had spent two months impressing the others with his knowledge and talk.

Fr. Silouan simply answered: The perfect never say anything of themselves.* They only say what the Spirit suffers them to say.

*John 7:17 - "If any man will do the will of Him, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself." [Douey translation]

"Anyone who is prepared to do His will, can tell for himself if such learning comes from God, or whether I am delivering a message of my own." [Knox translation]

Prior to this verse, Jesus had said that His teaching came from the Father, from the One Who sent Him. So, it does not mean that the perfect do not speak about their own lives (although if one is speaking from God, it is unlikely to speak much of one's own life), but that all that is spoken is only that which God is the Author, the Inspiration, the Source of what is said.

For this Catholic hermit, these virtues dash cold water in the face. Much to ponder; much more to practice; much more to pray for humility and all else that follows in purity of heart.