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
African Saints (from the Prologue of Ohrid) June 25th: Gallicanus the Patrician (362) Martyred in Egypt June 28th: The Translation of the relics of Martyrs Cyrus and John froom Canopus to Menuthis (412) Patriarch Cyril of Alexandria prayed for God to destroy the pagan city of Menuthis. However, an angel instructed him to move the … More Dispatch from the Desert: June 22nd thru 28th
African Saints (from the Prologue of Ohrid) June 15th: Dulas of Cilicia (305-313) Dulas lived in an Egyptian monastery and was accused of stealing items of Church worship. After being tortured, another monk admitted to the crime. Dulas spent 20 years in exile before he was restored to the monastery where he died three days … More Dispatch from the Desert: June 15th thru 21st
African Saints (from the Prologue of Ohrid) June 8th: Arte (Arthe) (5th century) of Nitra, Egypt June 9th: Cyril, Archbishop of Alexandria (444) This great archbishop struggled and succeded against the oppresive Jews in Alexandria and silenced the Novationist heritics that did not accept the repentance of those who had fallen away from the Church. … More Dispatch from the Desert: June 8th thru 14th
African Saints (from the Prologue of Ohrid) June 3: Achillies, Bishop of Alexandria (312) June 4: Zosimas of Cilicia (6th century) – A dedicated ascetic on Mt. Sinai, Zosimas was ordained Bishop of New Babylon in Egypt. After years of service, he returned to Mt. Sinai where he reposed. Optatus (376) – Bishop of Milevun … More Dispatch from the Desert: June 1st thru 7th
African Saints (from the Prolouge of Ohrid): May 27th: Theodora and Didymus the Soldier (304) Theodora was a virgin in a noble family. She was found to be a Christian and sent to a brothel to be violated by soldiers. An answer to her fervent prayers to God, Didymus was the first soldier to enter … More Dispatch from the Desert: May 25th thru 31st
African Saints (from the Prologue of Ohrid): May 19th: Acoluthus (284-305) Martyred in Hermopolis, Egypt May 20th: Asclas (287) Martyred in Antinoe, Egypt with Leonides. Their tormentor, Arrian repented later and proclaimed Jesus before his fellow pagans and was executed. Thalassius the Myrrh-gusher of Libya (ca. 668) May 21: Hieromartyr Secundus and those with him … More Dispatch from the Desert: May 18th thru 24th
African Saints (from the Prologue of Ohrid): May 12: Polybius of Cyprus (5th century) Bishop of Rinokyr in Egypt. May 14: Serapion the Sindonite (5th century) This Egyptian monk wore nothing but a linen cloth, or a “sindon.” He had even given this away and his copy of the Gospels to help others in need. Serapion … More Dispatch from the Desert: May 11th thru 17th
Desert Fathers Dispatch 