Flee also youthful lust, but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart – 2 Timothy 2:22 The goal of our profession … is the kingdom of God. Its immediate purpose, however, is purity of heart, for without this we cannot reach our goal. We should … More Of Desert Fathers & Maroons II: Freedom & Purity
African Saints (from the Prologue of Ohrid) No African (native born or from elsewhere) saints are listed for this week. A Word from the Fathers & Mothers “Every virtue that is acquired without much effort is not strong and is easily shaken by the wind.” Abba Isaac to Ammah Theodora, from the Matericon “How … More Dispatch from the Desert: August 17th thru 23rd
African Saints (from the Prologue of Ohrid) August 12th Pallamon (ca. 325) Egyptian instructor of St. Pachomius August 16th Chaeremon (4th century) Monk of Nitra, Egypt. One lesson is attributed to him in the Sayings of the Desert Fathers A Word from the Fathers & Mothers “How can we acquire the fear of God … More Dispatch from the Desert: August 10th thru 16th
“Let us imitate our Fathers: The lived in this place with much austerity and peace.” Abba John the Eunuch, from the Sayings of the Desert Fathers “But some on’em would rather be shot than took, sir.” from A Desolate Place for a Defiant People The runaway slave was among the bravest of our African ancestors. … More Of Desert Fathers & Maroons
African Saints (from the Prologue of Ohrid) August 5th Cantidus, Cantidian, and Sibelius (4th century) Martyrs of Egypt. August 7th Or (390) A hermit of the Thebaid (Upper Egypt), said to have supernatural radiance due to his years of strict asceticism. “For a monk, this is the celebration of the Resurrection of Christ to … More Dispatch from the Desert: August 3rd thru 9th
African Saints (from the Prologue of Ohrid) There are no African, or African associated saints listed in the Prologue of Ohrid for the week. If anyone has a list from another source, please feel free to send the information. A Word from the Fathers & Mothers “An old man was sitting in his cell and a voice … More Dispatch from the Desert: July 27th thru August 2nd
African Saints (from the Prologue of Ohrid) July 25th: Eupraxia the Virgin (413) She was the daughter of a nobleman in Constantinople and relative of Emperor Theodosius the Great. Eupraxia and her mother moved to Egypt and worshiped at several monasteries. She became a nun at seven years old growing in ascetic disciplines with age. … More Dispatch from the Desert: July 20th thru 26th
African Saints (from the Prologue of Ohrid) July 13th: Sarah of the Nile (370) She became an ascetic as a young woman and struggled against her temptations for sixty years along the Nile River. Many women saw Sarah’s example and also became nuns. Nine lessons in the Sayings of the Desert Fathers and several in … More Dispatch from the Desert: July 13th thru 19th
African Saints (from the Prologue of Ohrid) July 6th: Sisoes the Great (429) He was a native Egyptian and disciple of Abba Anthony the Great. After the death of the teacher, God had favor on his ascetic efforts and gave him the grace to perform miracles and drive away unclean spirits. Fifty-four lessons in the … More Dispatch from the Desert: July 6th thru 12th
African Saints (from the Prologue of Ohrid) July 3rd: Isaiah the Recluse (ca. 429) Lived as an ascetic in Sketis, Egypt and Palestine. While mentioned in the writings of Abba Barsanuphius and John, many of his own instructions for monks were destroyed by Muslims. A Word from the Fathers & Mothers Prayer and asceticism are … More Dispatch from the Desert: June 29th thru July 5th
Desert Fathers Dispatch 