They say about abba Paphnutius that he doesn`t drink wine. But once traveling met a band of robbers and they were drinking wine. The chief of the robbers knew him and knew that he did not drink wine.
Seeing him tired filled a glass of wine and taking his sword in his hand said to the elder:
`If you don`t drink, I`ll kill you.`
The elder knowing that he fulfilled one of God`s commandments and wanting to win him took the glass and drank.
The chief of the robbers apologized and said:
`Forgive me, abba that I upset you.
The elder said:
`I think for this glass God will show you mercy both in this life and in the afterlife.`
The chief of the robbers said:
`I trust God I won`t harm anyone anymore.`
And the elder won all the band renouncing at his will for God.
Excerpt from the Egyptian Patericon – Abba Paphnutius.
