72. No one has ever looked at me like this

Monastery of Gaon.

It is the second largest of the six monasteries of Meteora and was founded in 1350 by a monk named Gaon. A total of 6 monks were currently residing there.

All the materials to build the Gaon Monastery were raised to the top of the rock using only ropes, and the period is said to be as much as 20 years. However, it took only 20 days to build the building. It was a prime example of how absurd it would be to build a monastery on such a high place, and it was also the reason why it was listed as one of the top 10 wonders of the world.

In addition, inside the main hall of the Gaon Monastery, beautiful sacred paintings were etched on the walls, and various holy relics and artworks are displayed in the museum.

***

The day of the monks residing in Gaon Monastery begins with the clear sound of a silver bell.

Deng~ Deng~ Deng~

5 am.

As the bell rang, monks in black habit that reached down to their toes came out of their respective places and entered the main hall in a row.

Led by Methodius, the abbot, the monks, who had pledged to live in this Gaon monastery for the rest of their lives and devote themselves to God, stood in front of the altar in turn, paid their respects, and then stood at their designated seats on either side.

The clear Gregorian-style prayers resonated throughout the main hall.

“Lord, open my mouth. Soon my mouth will speak your praises.”

It was an unbelievably clear voice for a man who had just woken up from sleep. The monks gathered in the main hall five times a day, prayed together, and continued their ascetic practices in their spare time.

Methodius, the abbot, remained alone in the parish and was praying in meditation. I closed my eyes, freed from all distractions, and tried to direct my mind to profound truths.

Then a voice pierced his mind.

[A holy man who wants to overcome his cursed fate has arrived, my son, welcome him]

Methodio’s eyes widened and his lips trembled.

“Oh Lord, it is the voice of the Lord. It must have been the voice of the Lord.”

It was the first time I had received such a direct oracle in my service to God while I was approaching eighty years of age. Tears of emotion filled Methodio’s eyes. Then, remembering the contents of the oracle, he hurriedly left the church.

“You must find the saint the Lord speaks of.”

Look around, look around

Looking around, there were many people who came to see Meteora and the monastery. Strangely, however, Methodio knew right away. A young man seen in a group of Asians in the distance.

It was felt. The fact that his spirit is distinctly different from others.

“That person is a saint. indeed···. You will know at once.”

Methodio hurriedly approached the man and greeted him with a trembling voice.

“είσαι ενήλικας Σας ευχαριστούμε που επισκεφθήκατε το μοναστήρι μας.”

(Holy saint, it is an honor to visit our monastery.)

Methodio’s eyes were only on Kyuha, and he looked at him calmly.

PD Son Jun-ik and the three senior actors were taken aback by the sudden situation. It was only natural that Meteora was a tourist destination, but since it was a monastery where actual monks lived, the rules that had to be followed were strict.

Loud noises were not allowed in the monastery, and women had to wear long skirts or long pants as they could not wear clothes that showed their legs. Even if you see monks, you shouldn’t talk to them or do anything that interferes with their practice.

In the midst of this, an old monk who seemed to have walked the path of asceticism, which was unusual even at first glance, approached and talked to Gyuha, so I couldn’t help but be embarrassed. Even just looking around, many tourists were buzzing about what was going on.

“Kyu, Kyuha, what is this person saying?”

Kyuha in a calm atmosphere spoke to Methodio in front of him.

“Δεν ξέρω τι συμβαίνει. Δεν είμαι ενήλικας. Υπάρχει πολύς κόσμος τριγύρω, οπότε ας μιλήσουμε σε ένα ήσυχο μέρος.”

(I don’t know what’s going on. I’m not a saint. There are a lot of people around, so why don’t we talk in a quiet place?)

Abbot Methodio nodded.

“thank you. You are a saint. Could I have a private talk with the saint?”

“all right.”

Kyu-ha briefly asked for understanding from PD Son Jun-ik and the three senior actors.

“I’m sorry, but he said he has something to do with me. Can I come over for a bit? According to monastic rules, it is difficult to shoot inside.”

Son Jun-ik and the three elder actors, who were still bewildered, nodded.

“I will. We will take a break and watch slowly.”

“Yes, Mr. Kyuha. We will see each other separately. Bye.”

“thank you. Then I’ll be gone for a while.”

Following Methodios, the abbot who decreed them, they entered a building that said that only those with permission could enter even within the monastery.

“What the hell is this? Writer Yoon Hyang. Originally, did something like this happen in the Meteora Monastery?”

“Nope. Not at all. Tourists are prohibited from contacting monks. What the hell is this all about…”

“Cheolkeolkeol is also fun. When I go out with Gyuha-kun, so many fun things happen, so how could I not come on this trip? Isn’t that right Hongshik?”

“Brother is right. There must be something special about that friend.”

The rest of the people just stared at the place where Gyuha disappeared.

***

Methodio took Gyuha to the annex behind the main hall of the Gaon Monastery, and there were images of Jesus and monks painted on the walls, creating a very mysterious atmosphere. Inside the villa, there were shelves filled with the remains of the monks who died here, and the dusty skeletons gave it a creepy, chilling feel.

The two entered the convent on the second floor, where the overwhelming view of Meteroa could be seen through the window.

“It’s shabby, but please sit here.”

Methodio took out an old wooden chair and sat Kyuha down. Then Methodio took something off the shelf and started making something.

less so less.

“It’s lemon curd marinated in honey. Have a cup of tea.”

“thank you. But how do you look at me and call me a saint? I am seeing you for the first time.”

Despite the straight-forward question, Methodius, the abbot, answered with a smile without being taken aback.

“I’m sorry if I surprised you. I just received a revelation from the Lord. The voice of the Lord told me to seek you, nothing more, nothing less.”

It was something I couldn’t understand. However, since I’ve been through a lot of incomprehensible things, I thought that Kyu-ha was also one of those things.

As I looked at Methodio while drinking the lemon tea in front of me, he continued.

“Human beings are composed of a spirit and a body, and only when the spirit and body are harmonized can we enjoy true joy and peace. But when I dare to look at the saint, the harmony between the spirit and the body is strangely distorted. The flesh is close to completion, but the spirit seems quite unstable.”

Kyuha’s complexion slightly hardened at Methoddio’s words. It was because it was the first time in his life that he had such insight into his own nature. I thought about taking care of it in an instant, but instinctively thought it shouldn’t, so I thought about how to solve this situation while drinking tea without saying anything.

“O saint. No need to worry. All of this is God’s guidance and revelation. Actually, it doesn’t matter who you are. To me, the only thing that matters is that the voice of Heavenly Father has been addressed to you.”

Only then did Gyuha open his mouth.

“okay. I honestly don’t fully understand, but I was surprised. No one has ever seen me this far.”

“As I said just now, I don’t care who you are. In the first place, being a religious is a daily life where you suppress not only worldly desires but also daily necessities, so what kind of life you have lived is what matters?”

Methodio spoke to Gyuha with a benevolent smile.

“I think the secular life is rather difficult. We religious do not live in renunciation of desire, but rather choose something better: to do God’s will instead of mine.”

In response to the sincerity of Methodios, the abbot, Gyuha let go of her guard and started a conversation.

“I am well aware that I am different from the average person. However, it is also true that a certain divine being gave me a new opportunity, and through that opportunity I am solving a curse-like problem.”

Methodius let out a sigh.

“Oh, you are indeed a saint who has received a revelation. Defying the given fate and pursuing the truth… good. Today’s meeting is a very meaningful day for me.”

“I am also honored. I’m not a saint, but it’s true that I’m trying to walk the path you’re talking about.”

For the first time in his life, when he talked indirectly about his psychopathic temperament and his efforts to overcome it, Kyu-ha felt a strange sense of liberation.

“According to the Lord, you are doing very well. drag”

Gyuha also smiled at Methodio’s words.

“That is very nice. I don’t believe in any particular god, but given my circumstances, I definitely feel that there is a divine being.”

Methodio nodded quietly.

“of course. The existence of the Lord may be another god to someone. But God definitely exists. What matters is faith. In any case, it was his revelation that greeted the saint, and I am a monk with a duty to follow. Would you like to follow me?”

Gyu-ha stared at Methodio for a moment at Methoddio’s sudden words, then nodded.

The place where Methoddio followed was the museum on the third floor of the nave, where several holy relics kept in the Gaon Monastery were displayed.

“This···?”

“There are several holy relics on display here. There are quite a few holy relics, from the cloth with which Saint Veronica wiped Jesus’ face, to Turin’s shroud and fragments of the True Cross. However, no one can know for sure whether it is genuine or not. Because there are so many fakes going around. However, there is one genuine holy relic that we cherish in our monastery.”

Methodius walked towards the picture frame hanging on the wall.

“The holy spirit that was said to have been used to crucify Jesus. As much as the Holy Spirit is a genuine item kept in our monastery. I even have a confirmation from the Holy See. In any case, the Lord has received a revelation to show that disposition to the saints. I don’t know why either.”

It was the moment when the holy relic ‘Seongjeong’, which had been treasured by the Gaon Monastery, was revealed to the world after 500 years.