News had reached the Patriarch of all the Russias that there were three monks living on an island in the Black Sea and that they were regarded in and about their area as living saints.

His Holiness didn't know what to make of these reports, but, being a fair man, decided to pay a surprise visit to the monks before forming any opinion of their so-called saintliness.

After much travelling he arrived a the Black Sea and, after hiring a suitable boat, set sail for the island. His arrival created a furore on the island and the people ran to notify the three monks of the Patriarch's presence. The monks looked at each other with amazement and, without a word, turned and ran to greet his Holiness.

The three monks fell to their knees before him, their hands held in prayer and their faces beaming with love and an overwhelming joy. His Holiness was deeply moved by their devotion. Listening to their stumbling greetings he realised that they were not educated men but their childish sincerity shone through.

He suggested that they retire with him to the monastery chapel so that they could pray together. He was disturbed to detect a fleeting look of alarm on the faces of the monks.

In the chapel the Patriarch knelt before the altar and the monks knelt behind him. His Holiness began with the Lord's Prayer but stopped when he realised the monks were not joining in.

"Why aren't you praying?" he asked. They hung their heads in shame. "We don't know the prayer." the first said. "We used to used to know it." the second hastily added. "But we forgot." the third lamely finished.

His Holiness, seeing their genuine distress and being a kindly man by nature, spoke very gently. "Would you like me to teach you?" "Oh yes, Holy Father." the three replied.

So the Patriarch of all the Russias began to teach the uneducated monks the prayer. It was hard work. They would no sooner get to the end when they would forget the beginning, but after patiently working with them all day the Patriarch was at last satisfied that they had finally learned the Lord's Prayer.

Exhausted after his efforts the Patriarch returned to his boat, and while the monks were profusely thanking him, set sail for the mainland.

After he had been at sea for some time he turned to watch the sunset behind him.

He was startled to see three small figures racing toward him, feet barely touching the water.

"Come back, Holy Father, come back. We've forgotten the prayer!"