Saint Epiphanius of Cyprus was having a lunch with his friend Elder Hilarion. St Epiphanius invited his friend to taste roasted game but the elder declined:
— Sorry, since I became a monk, I have not eaten anything that has to be slaughtered before cooking.
Epiphanius insisted:
— Since I became a monk, I have never let anyone sleep harboring anything against me and I haven’t allowed myself to sleep if I harbored anything against someone else.
Elder Hilarion conceded, saying:
— Forgive me. Your ascetic feat is higher than mine.
