“When I went through up there for 15 days, struggling with the tempter – it defies description, you can’t even imagine! He was constantly telling me to go down to the monastery to see people and visit with them to be consoled. I’ll tell you one thing: for 15 days, I felt like I was nailed to the Cross. Later on the second Sunday, I came down to the monastery to attend Liturgy. When I communed the Holy Mysteries tasted like meat that was very sweet and I felt strength within me. It was the Body and Blood of Christ.” Strengthened by this sign, looking out his ascetic cell from the monastery, he said to the devil, “Come back now if you want to and will do battle. I’m not afraid of you anymore.”
Elder Paisios
~Elder Paisios of Mt. Athos