African Saints (from the Prologue of Ohrid): May 8th:  Arsenius the Great (448) – One of the most revered of the Desert Fathers.  Arsenius was a Roman born into an aristocratic family and rose to the rank of Senator.  He became a deacon and briefly served in a large church in that city.  He renounced the world … More Dispatch from the Desert:  May 4th thru 10th

African Saints (from the Prologue of Orhid)  April 29th:  John Tolaius, Patriarch of Alexandria (482) – He was sent to Constantinople to request that the Alexandrian Patriarchate be allowed to elect their own Archbishop.  The Emperor Zenon permitted this under the condition that John would not be the elected one.  Returning to Alexandria, John broke … More Dispatch from the Desert:  April 27th thru May 3rd

African Saints (from the Prologue of Orhid) April 20th:  Athanasius of Mount Sinai (685)  Succeeded John Climacus as Abbot of the Mt. Sinai Monastery.  Known as an instructor against heretical teaching. April 22nd:  Leonidas of Alexandria (202)  The father of Origen.  His son encouraged him being martyred, “Father, do not concern yourself over us and … More Dispatch from the Desert:  April 20th thru 26th

African Saints (from the Prologue of Orhid) April 13th:  Thomias of Alexandria (476)  Murdered by her vile father-in-law that sought to seduce her.  He was caught  in the room he killed her in.  From that time, she assist those who have adulterous temptations. A Word from the Fathers & Mothers “The devil has no need … More Dispatch from the Desert:  April 13th thru 19th

African Saints (from the Prologue of Orhid) April 7th:  Serapion the Sidonite, Egyptian Monk (5th century) – Four lessons in the Sayings of the Desert Fathers are attributed to him. April 10th:  Martyrs Terence, Africanus, Maximus, Pompeius and 36 others in Carthage (250) – Despite horrible tortures, they refused to worship the Roman idols. April … More Dispatch from the Desert:  April 6th thru 12th

African Saints (from the Prologue of Orhid): March 30th:  John Climacus (649) – He is also venerated on the Fourth Sunday of Great Lent.  John came to the Sinai Peninsula  at the age of 16 and was a recluse for many years.  At 80, he became the Abbot of the Sinai Monastery where he wrote … More Dispatch from the Desert:  March 30th thru April 5th

African Saints (from the Prologue of Orhid): March 24th:  Zacharias the Recluse of Egypt (4th century) – The son of Abba Carion.  Though younger than most other Desert Fathers, Zacharias was honored for his wisdom.  Five of the Sayings of the Desert Fathers are attributed to him. March 26th:  Subdeacon Eutychius of Alexandria (356) March … More Dispatch from the Desert:  March 23 thru 29

African Saints (from the Prologue of Ohird): March 16th:  Sabinus of Hermopolis, Egypt (303) – A Syrian who lived in the Egyptian city.  Sabinus was betrayed by someone he aided and was drowned in the Nile River. March 17th:  Deacon Ambrose of Alexandria (400) March 20th:  Photina the Samaritan Woman – She spoke with Jesus in … More Dispatch from the Desert:  March 16 thru 22

African Saints (from the Prologue of Ohrid): March 10th:  Venerable Mother Anastasia the Patrician of Alexandria (567) – A former lady in waiting in Constantinople, Anastasia became a monk in disguise in Egypt. March 11th:  Sophronius, Patriarch of Jerusalem (638), Venerable George the Sinaite (6th century) – Sophronius was born in Damascus and wrote The Spiritual … More Dispatch from the Desert:  March 9th thru 15th

  African Saints (from the Prolouge of Ohrid): March 2nd:  Venerable Agathon of Egypt (5th century) – According to The Sayings of the Desert Fathers, Agathon was trained as a young monk by Poemen in the Thebaid region of Egypt.  Thirty passages of that volume are attributed to him. March 3rd:  Alexandra of Alexandria (4th … More Dispatch from the Desert:  March 2nd thru 8th