One day, a man went to visit a church. He arrived early, parked his car, and got out.

Another car pulled up near him, and the driver told him, "I always park there. You took my place!"

The visitor went inside for Sunday School, found an empty seat, and sat down. A young lady from the church approached him and stated, "That's my seat! You took my place!"

The visitor was somewhat distressed by this rude welcome, but said nothing.

After Sunday School, the visitor went into the church sanctuary and sat down. Another member walked up to him Thats the splace i always sit. You took my place!"

The visitor was even more troubled by this treatment, but still said nothing.

Later, as the congregation was praying for Christ to dwell among them the visitor stood, and his appearance began to change.

Horrible scars became visible on his hands and on his sandaled feet.Someone from the congregation noticed him and called out, "What happened to you?" The visitor replied;

"I took your place."

Sayings of Abba Epiphanius

"Know thyself, and thou shalt never fall. Give thy soul work, that is to say, constant prayer, and love of God, before another can give it evil and filthy thoughts; and pray ye that the spirit of error may be remote from you."

And he also said, "Whatever ye do succesfully, and what ye boast of, destroy, for it is not right for a monk to boast of his fair deeds, and if he boasteth he will fall.