- The Fathers say that to acquire devoutness one must associate with devout people and observe how they behave. When Saint Paisios the Great was asked, "How can I acquire the fear of God?" he answered, "you must associate with people who love God and have fear of God in their heart, so that you, too, may acquire such divine fear." This, of course, does not mean that you should do outwardly whatever you see others doing without feeling it within you, for this would not be true devoutness, it would be false.Anything false is abhorrent. Devoutness is the Grace of God in man. Whatever the devout person does,he does because he feels it in his heart.Of course, there is natural devoutness within us, but, if we don't cultivate it, the devil will use our forgetfulness to make us insensitive and not devout. But the behaviour of the devout awakens devoutness in us again.
- Elder, why do the Fathers speak only of devoutness when they advise us to acquire it by associating with those who are devout? Why do they not say the same about other virtues also?
- Because devoutness is a transmittable virtue. The movements and behaviour of a devout person are transmitted like perfume, provided the recipient possesses good will and humility. And let me tell you, if one is not devout,one has nothing. A devout person can clearly recognize all things sacred as they truly are, even though he may not be educated. For example, he will not err in anything that has to do with divine meanings. It is much like small children who do not have any negative thoughts about their father and mother, because they love and respect them, and are able to see clearly and properly what their parents are doing. How much more so in this case, where we have to do with God. Who is incomparable and perfect in all things! One who is not devout falls into errors and falsehoods regarding the doctrine of the faith. I can see what errors are made when those who are not devout write interpretations and commentaries on the sacred texts of Holy Scripture.
