Another day, Theodore (of Tabennesi) went off to a monastery...

…to visit the brothers, and straightway they brought him a brother they accused of having stolen something, that he should expel him from among the brothers for this reason. The culprit, however, was not this brother, but another who passed for a faithful man among all the brothers. But they were accusing the former because he was somewhat negligent in their view.

When the thief realized that he had not only committed the first fault but that, moreover, because of him they were going to drive the other brother away from the monastery, he went to see Theodore privately and said to him, “Forgive me, my father; I am the one who committed the theft.” Theodore said to him, “The Lord has forgiven you the fault you have committed, for clearing the innocent in our presence.”

Then he called the one who had been falsely accused and said to him, “I know that you are not the perpetrator of this fault. But even if the brothers afflicted you a little for the fault you have not committed, nevertheless do not be proud of your innocence in this case. For you are doubtless indebted to the Lord for other faults you have committed. Therefore, give Him thanks and be in fear of Him all you life long.” Then he said to the brothers about this matter, “Have you not entrusted me with judgment so that I might pass sentence? Well, it is God’s will that he should be absolved. Indeed, we are all in need of God’s mercy.”

from the Bohairic Life of Pachomius, fourth century