In the skete of the monastery Kutlumush lived an eminent spiritual father, to whom many elders of the Holy Mountain went for confession and spiritual advice. Once came an elder, who had a novice overwhelmed from despondency in his Kaliva. The despondency ate him from inside like a worm, the sadness and melancholy were changed by despair. The danger was big, because if the novice couldn’t find a way to get out of the trap of despondency, he could be exposed to the temptation to leave Mount Athos.

Because of this the elder of the novice took him to the divinely inspired father.

– My father – he said – say what I should do with him. He can fail. His mind is darkened, he doesn’t show interest in anything. He lives as if he is surrounded by a dark cloud, his thoughts are scattered. Very good conditions are created for him in our Kaliva. He’s not burdened with physical labour, his obedience is to read the services.

The experienced spiritual father listened carefully, thought for a little and simply said:

– Marry him!

The elder was surprised. “What has happened with the spiritual father? – he thought – is he with all his mind?”

– I say to you, marry him – he firmly said.

– What do you mean, father? – asked the elder with a trembling voice.

– Marry him to labour! Burden him with labour! Do you understand? For the monk labour has to substitute the woman, so he can avoid despondency and a stack of other temptations. 

When he applied the advice and began every day to give work to his disciple, the elder understood what device he had received. The depression of the young man disappeared, his interest in life came back, in the Kaliva reigned a joyful atmosphere. This was due to the beneficent effect of labour.

Archimandrite Cherubim Karambelas
From the book Contemporary Ascetics of Mount Athos