"By continuing to exist in the light and truth of God, the old self withers, dries up, and crumbles away. Bit by bit it loses its power, giving place to the spirit, which begins to respond more easily to the call of grace..."

Abouna (Father) Matta El-Meskeen (1919-2006) — “Matthew the Poor” in English — was an ascetic monk and abbot of the Monastery of St. Macarius the Great in Egypt. He entered the monastic life around the age of 30, leaving behind his ownership of a flourishing pharmacy and great prospects for worldly success. He soon became a prominent spiritual father, initiating a current that greatly enriched and revitalized Coptic monasticism in Egypt. Abouna Matta was also a prolific author — he wrote over 150 books dealing with theology, Christology, biblical interpretation, and monastic life. He is often referred to as a contemporary Desert Father in both the East and West.

In this brief treatise, written primarily for a monastic audience, Fr. Matthew outlines the process of putting the "old man" to death and becoming truly alive in Christ, offering a concrete roadmap for authentic spiritual life. Fr. Matthew's powerful words can help us on our journey of, as St. Seraphim of Sarov says, "acquiring the Holy Spirit."

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