The tribulations of a poor farmer

"A poor farmer was ploughing his field when his ox suddenly collapsed and died. Unable to bear the loss, he began to grieve, weep and strike himself, lamenting and calling out to God: 'Lord, I have never had anything beyond this yoke, and You have even taken that from me. How will I support my wife and nine young children? How will I pay my taxes to the king? How will I repay my debts? Of course, Lord, You know that I owed money for the ox that died. I know not what to do. I will abandon my home and run off to a distant land, before my creditors learn of it and fall upon me like wild beasts.'."

("The Life of Saint Philaretos" (late 8^th century), ed. M. Fourmy-H. Leroy, Byzantion 9, 1934, p. 117 - in Greek)