PHILOKALIA MINISTRIES

A Dialogue with St. Arsenius on Sleep, Vigilance, and the Sabbath Disciple: Abba, my body grows heavy when night comes. My thoughts scatter, and sleep presses upon me like a command. I want to pray, but my eyes close against my will. What shall I do? St. Arsenius: You speak as though sleep were your master. Disciple: Is it not? Nature demands it. St. Arsenius: Nature asks. It does not command. Only God commands. Disciple: Yet even you, Abba, slept. St. Arsenius: Yes. And when