Wisdom from Modern Orthodox Elders
“If the nightwatchman gets tired standing he sits. If sleep overcomes him and he begins to nod while he is sitting he doesn’t break the law. However if he is found lying down sleeping that he loses his job. It’s the same with us. If we are overcome with a bit of sleep and begin to nod while we are struggling in it doesn’t matter that much. If, however, the evil one manages to make a slide down then we had been crushed.”
(Elder Arsenios the Cave-dweller)