Monks of Mt Ganos asked Psellos to take over their monasteries

Summary:
The monks of Mt Ganos seem to have asked Psellos to take over their monastery. He refused, saying that they had too high an opinion of his power. Since he had left the monastery, he had not completely immersed himself in the world, and so his influence with the emperors was limited when he was asked to help the drowning. The fish was a blessed one, as sent him by 80 monks 
Dates:
1062 (uncertain) 
Michael Psellos (named Konstantinos till tonsure in 1054) (Michael 61)
  • He told the monks of Mt Ganos they had too high an opinion of his power; after once retreating to a monastery, he had left but not immersed himself in the world, had little influence with the emperors and so could not help the drowning (:) Psellos Letters (Sathas) 150.398
  • He told the monks of Mt Ganos he could not take over the monastery, or anything else, though he would help when he could; the fish was blessed as sent by 80 monks (:) Psellos Letters (Sathas) 150.398-399
  • He told the monks of Mt Ganos that they had too high an opinion of his influence Psellos Letters (Sathas) 150.398-399