Abba Agathon on Heresy

It was said concerning Abba Agathon that some monks came to find him
having heard tell of his
great discernment. Wanting to see if he would lose his temper they said
to him 'Aren't you that
Agathon who is said to be a fornicator and a proud man?' 'Yes, it is
very true, ' he answered.
They resumed, 'Aren't you that Agathon who is always talking nonsense?'
'I am.' Again they
said, 'Aren't you Agathon the heretic?' But at that he replied 'I am not
a heretic.' So they asked
him, 'Tell us why you accepted everything we cast at you, but repudiated
this last insult.' He
replied 'The first accusation I take to myself, for that is good for my
soul. But heresy is
separation from God. Now I have no wish to be separated from God.' At
this saying they were
astonished at his discernment and returned edified.