¹ In the time of the emperor Valerian, a certain man named Mello, originally from Great Britain, came to Rome in order to pay the tribute of his homeland to serve the emperor. And there, as was the custom, he was led with his companions to the temple of Mars so that he might offer sacrifice. But when he heard Pope Pope Stephen I preaching the Gospel of Christ to a few Christians, he paid attention to his words and believed; he asked for baptism from him and received it. And having been instructed by him, he sold whatever he possessed—even the weapons with which he served as a soldier—and distributed the proceeds to the poor. The same pope, as he remained attached to him, promoted him through all the ranks of the Church up to the priesthood. And while he was devoted to fasts and vigils, one day, when he was celebrating Mass, both he and the pope saw an angel of God standing at the right side of the altar; and when the Mass was finished, the angel gave him the pastoral staff which he held in his hand, saying: “Receive the staff under which you shall rule the people of the city of Rouen in the borders of Neustria. For there a place has been prepared for you by God; and although the toil of an unknown journey may be burdensome to you, nevertheless you must not fear, for the Lord Jesus Christ will protect you under the shadow of His wings” [Psalm 90(91):4]. Then, having received the pope’s blessing, he set out on his journey. And when he came to Auxerre, holding the staff which he had received from the angel, he healed at once by prayer a certain man who had been wounded with a double-axe, whose foot had been split into two parts. At last he came to Rouen, and faithfully fulfilling his ministry, being renowned for many virtues and miracles, he rested in peace.

Narration #

¹ At one time a certain man came from the city of Rome who had held a great position in the palace of the emperor and was living in Scetis. He had with him a servant who attended to him. But when the priest of the church saw his weakness and knew that the man had been accustomed to luxury, he would send him from those things which the Lord granted him. And when he had spent twenty-five years in Scetis, he became a contemplative man, foreseeing many things, and he became well known. Now a certain one of the great monks of Egypt, hearing of his reputation, came to see him, hoping to find with him a bodily manner of life more austere. When he had entered, he greeted him, and after they had made prayer they sat down. But the Egyptian, seeing him clothed in soft garments, with a skin beneath him and a small pillow under his head, and having clean feet with sandals, was scandalized within himself concerning him, because in that place it was not the custom to live in such a way. But that Roman elder, having the grace of foresight, understood that the Egyptian monk had been scandalized at him, and he said to his servant: “Prepare for us today, because of the abbot who has come, a good meal.” And he cooked the little vegetables which he had; and rising at the proper hour they ate. He also had a little wine because of his infirmity, and they drank it.

² And in the evening they said twelve psalms and slept; likewise also in the night. Rising in the morning, the Egyptian said to him, “Pray for me,” and went out, not edified by him. And when he had gone a little way off, the Roman elder, wishing to heal him, sent after him and called him back. When he had returned, he again received him with joy and questioned him, saying: “From what province are you?” And he said, “I am an Egyptian.” And he said to him, “Of what city?” And he answered, “I was not at all from a city, nor did I ever live in a city.” And he said to him, “Before you became a monk, what work did you do on the estate where you lived?” He answered, “I was a keeper of the fields.” And he said to him, “Where did you sleep?” He answered, “In the field.” And he said, “Did you have any bedding?” He answered, “No, but I slept on the bare ground.” And he said, “What did you eat in the field, or what sort of wine did you drink?” He answered, “I ate dry bread, or, if I found it, whatever salted food there was, and I drank water.” And the elder said, “It was great labor.” And he added, “Was there also a bath on the estate where you might wash?” He said, “No, but I washed in the river when I wished.”

³ When therefore the elder had heard all these things from him, wishing him to make progress, he told him of his former life which he had when he was a secular man, saying: “Wretched me whom you see: I am from that great city of Rome, and I held a great position in the palace of the emperor.” And when the Egyptian heard the beginning of his words, he was compuncted and listened attentively to what was being said. The elder said: “Therefore I left Rome and came into this desert. I, whom you see, had great houses and much wealth; and despising them, I came into this small cell. I had beds adorned with gold, having most precious coverings, and in place of these the Lord has given me this bedding of papyrus and this skin. My garments also were worthy of an inestimable price, and instead of them I use these poor rags. In my meals much gold was spent, and in place of that God has given me these few vegetables and a small cup of wine. Many servants ministered to me, and look, instead of them God has given me this one alone to serve me. Instead of a bath, I pour a little water over my feet; and I use sandals because of infirmity. Instead of the harp and other musical performances with which I delighted myself at my banquets, I say for myself twelve psalms in the day and likewise in the night. And thus, for the sins which I formerly committed, I offer a small service to God. Therefore I beg you, abba, that you should not be scandalized because of my infirmity.” Hearing these things, the Egyptian said: “Woe to me, because I came from much tribulation and much labor of the world to rest more among the monks, and what I did not have then I now have; but you, from much delight of the world, by your own will came into tribulation, and from much glory and riches you came into humility and poverty.”

⁴ And thus, being greatly edified, he departed; and having become his friend, he often came to him for the sake of his own spiritual benefit.