Saint Poimén
Holy Martyr Phanoúrios the Newly-Revealed;
Saint Cæsarius, Bishop of Arles
Poimen once begged the elder Paul to take him to St. Paḯsios. Seeing Poimen, Paḯsios said to Paul: "This child will save many; the hand of God is with him." In time, Poimen was tonsured a monk and attracted two of his brothers to the monastic life as well. Once his mother came to see her sons but Poimen did not permit her to enter but through the door asked her: "Do you desire more to see us here or there in eternity?" The mother withdrew with joy saying: "Since I will surely see you there, then I do not desire to see you here."
In the monastery of these three brothers, governed by Abba Anubis, Poimen's eldest brother, this was their Rule [Typikon]: at night, they spent four hours of working with their hands, four hours of sleep and four hours of reading the Psalter. During the day, from morning until noon, they spent in alternating work and prayer; from noon until Vespers they spent reading and, in the afternoon, they prepared supper for themselves the only meal in twenty-four hours and that usually consisted of some vegetables.
Concerning their life, Poimen himself speaks: "We ate that which was given to us. No one ever said: 'Give me something else or I do not want that.' In this manner, we spent our entire life in silence and peace." Poimen lived a life of mortification as an ascetic in the fifth century and died peacefully at an old age.
10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
12 For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.
13 For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.
14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
Saint Mark 1:9-15 KJV
9 And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.
10 And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:
11 And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
12 And immediately the spirit driveth him into the wilderness.
13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.
14 Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
SIMPLICITY AND STILLNESS
+ SAINT NEILOS THE ASCETIC
“WE NO LONGER pursue plainness and simplicity of life. We no longer value stillness, which helps to free us from past defilement, but prefer a whole host of things which distract us uselessly from our true goal.
Rivalry over material possessions has made us forget the counsel of the Lord, who urged us to take no thought for earthly things, but to seek only the kingdom of heaven (St Matt. 6:33).
Deliberately doing the opposite, we have disregarded the Lord’s commandment, trusting in ourselves and not in His protection. For He says: Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them (St Matt. 6:26); and again: Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin (St Matt. 6:28).
When He sent the apostles out to declare the good news to their fellow men, He even forbade them to carry wallet, purse or staff, and told them to be content with His promise: the workman is worthy of his meat (St Matt. 10:10). This promise is to be trusted far more than our own resources.
FREE WILL EXCHANGE
The Epistle and Gospel are provided
daily on the PARAGON, you need
not research them.
GREAT FEAST DAY
THE ELEVATION OF THE PRECIOUS CROSS
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