The Uncondemning Monk

The Uncondemning Monk is a nameless monk recorded in the Prologue of Ohrid, who led a saintly life because he condemned no one in all the days of his life. His commemoration is on 30 March in the Orthodox Church and in the Byzantine Catholic Churches, the day on which Saint John Climacus is also commemorated. He is also mentioned by Saint Anastasius of Sinai.

This monk, whose name is not recorded, is said, in the opinion of the monastic brotherhood he lived with, to have been lazy and careless in prayer and in all other aspects of his life. Therefore the brethren were surprised at the monk's joy on his deathbed, a joy proper to saints. When they asked him the reason for this peace, the monk answered: “I have just seen the angels, and they showed me a page with all my many sins. I said to them: The Lord said: Judge not, that you be not judged. I have never judged anyone and I hope in the mercy of God that He will not judge me.” And the angels tore up the sheet. Hearing this, the monks wondered at it and learned from it. According to the Serbian source, from his tonsure until his death he judged no one and wished evil to no one.