More on Humility

Another lesson on Humility from Elder Ieronymos.

It was the feast of saint Nicholas and after the Divine Liturgy he was going into town for his accustomed ministry... Passing by outside of a store he saw the proprietor.. He stopped for a moment and greeted him, "Good morning!  Many Years!

The shopkeeper, for some reason, instead of rejoicing at  his blessings, answered with rudeness and in a exceedingly insulting way, "Get out of here, Priest, as fast as you can.  Thats right! Get going–bravo!–before I make some nasty remark to you."

Father Ieronymos went away in sorrow, not so much for the insult, but because he did not wish to grieve any man. Even if he was not at fault... He prayed all day and night on the morrow he took the same path again.  As soon as he came near the shop of the reviler, he saw him sweeping his courtyard.  He approached him and with a great deal of sweetness and humility said to him, "forgive me, my brother, if in any way I have grieved you.  But won't you allow me even to bid you Good Morning?

The shopkeeper was dumbstruck; he would never have expected such kindness and humility.  He ran and fell on his bosom saying, "Forgive me, Elder.  I don't know what satan put me up to speaking to you like that.  I have repented over it bitterly and ask your forgiveness."

from The Elder Ieronymos of Aegina by Peter Botsis, pp.155-156

Lesson in Humility

One of the most important virtues is humility.  It is one I struggle to make part of my life.  But how does one develop humility?  I found a couple of stories about  the Elder Ieronymos of Aegina that gave me some clues.  Here is the first one.

Once he was traveling to Piraeus on a ship named The Enchantress.  As usual he sat somewhere off to the side and prayed.  Suddenly he was approached by the captain who said to him, "Priest, get up from here and sit further on."
Father Ieronymos humbly and obediently conformed to this command.  But shortly afterward the captain ordered him to change his place again.  The same thing was repeated a third time.  The captain's attitude was very provocative.  The other passengers were indignant and made a remark to him about why he had behaved is such a manner to a venerable elder, who after all had paid his ticket.  And the captain answered, "My mother told me that whenever I see refugees I should throw them into the sea."

Father Ieronymos was grieved when he heard this, but said nothing.  He only decided never to travel on this ship again, in order  to avoid temptation.  But he prayed fervently for the captain and implored God to enlighten him.  On another occasion, however, he had to travel to Piraeus and there was no other ship except The Enchantress.  He said prayers, boarded the ship, and sat in some corner.  He hoped that the captain would not see him, so that he could avoid the pointless temptation.  But eventually the captain passed by and saw him and approached him.
"Do you have a ticket?" he asked.
"Yes, I do."
"Give it to me and I'll return it."
He took the ticket and returned to him the amount that he had paid, saying, "My mother scolded me and told me never to take money from you again.  From now on, come aboard whenever you want and travel for free."  the humility and prayer of Father Ieronymos––and possibly some vision that his mother had seen–– subdued the proud captain.

from The Elder Ieronymos of Aegina by Peter Botsis, pp.155-156