Letter 391

To Pisimius the Monk. While the Lord Jesus was praying on the mountain, his face shone and his garments flashed [a reference to the Transfiguration, Matthew 17], which is wont to happen to those monks who strive to apply themselves more diligently to prayer; for at that time the face of the soul shines forth, and its invisible adornment flashes - which the many do not know.

Προσευχομένου τοῦ Δεσπότου Ἰησοῦ ἐν τῷ ὄρει, ἔλαμψεν τὸ πρόσωπον, καὶ ἔστραψε τὰ ἱμάτια αὐτοῦ, ὅπερ συμβαίνειν εἴωθεν τοῖς φιλοπονώτερον τῇ εὐχῇ προσανέχειν σπουδάζουσι μοναχοῖς· ἐκλάμπει γὰρ τηνικαῦτα τὸ πρόσωπον τῆς ψυχῆς, καὶ ἀστράπτει ὁ ταύτης ἀόρατος στολισμός, ὅπερ οἱ πολλοὶ ἀγνοοῦ- σιν.