The Life of Our Venerable Father Onuphrius the Great

Whose Memory the Holy Church Celebrates on the 12th of June

The venerable Paphnutius, who waged the ascetic struggle in one of the monasteries of the Egyptian desert, has left us an account of how he found the venerable Onuphrius the Great and other hermits in the desert. His account begins thus:

“One day, while I was living in solitude in my monastery, it occurred to me to withdraw into the inner desert to see if there were a monk living there who labored more intensely for the Lord than I. Arising, I took with me a little bread and water and set out on the way. I left my monastery, saying nought to anyone, and betook myself to the most remote part of the desert. I walked for four days, taking neither food nor water, and reached a certain cave, whose mouth had been walled up entirely save for a little window. I stood outside this window for the space of an hour, hoping that, as is the custom with monastics, someone would come out of the cave and give me a Christian greeting; but since no one said anything to me or opened the door, I myself opened the door, entered and called out a blessing. Within the cave I saw a certain elder, sitting as though asleep. I again uttered my blessing and touched him on the shoulder, intending to awaken him, but his body was as the dust of the earth; when I touched him with my hands, I knew that he had been dead for several years. Seeing clothing hanging on the wall, I touched it also, but it crumbled to dust in my hands. I then removed my mantle and covered the body of the dead monk with it; and then, having dug a grave in the friable earth with my own hands, I buried the body of the ascetic and chanted the usual funeral psalmody with prayer and tears. Afterwards, I restored my strength, eating a little bread and drinking a little water, and spent the night by that elder’s grave.

“The following morning, having said my prayers, I resumed my journey into the innermost desert. When I had walked for several more days, I came upon another cave. Hearing human voices near it, I concluded that someone probably lived in it. I knocked on the door and, receiving no reply, entered the cave; finding no one therein, I went back out, reasoning that one of God’s servants probably resided there, but had gone out into the desert for a time. I decided to wait there for that servant of God, since I desired to see him and greet him in the Lord. I waited a whole day, all the while chanting the psalms of David. That place seemed very beautiful to me: a date-palm laden with fruit was growing there, and a little spring of water was flowing. I was greatly amazed at the beauty of that place and myself desired to dwell there if such were possible.

“When the day began to incline toward evening, I beheld a herd of camels headed toward me; and I also saw a servant of God walking in the midst of them (this was Timothy the desert-dweller). When the herd approached me, I saw that the man was unclothed, his hair alone covering the nakedness of his body. Coming up to where I was standing, and gazing at me, he took me for a spirit or an apparition, and began to pray, for many unclean spirit had appeared and tempted him in that place, as he himself later recounted to me. But I said to him: ‘Wherefore art thou affrighted, O servant of Jesus Christ our God? Look at me and at the footprints made by my feet, and know that I am a man like thee. Thou canst tell by thy touch that I am flesh and blood.’ And when he looked at me and was persuaded that I was indeed a man, he became calm and, giving thanks to God, said: ‘Amen.’

“Then he approached me and, having greeted me with a kiss, led me into the cave and set before me hearts of palm to eat; and he gave me pure water from the spring, and ate some food also for my sake. Afterward, he asked me, saying: ‘How camest thou hither, brother?’ And, disclosing to him my thoughts and intentions, I replied: ‘Desiring to see the servants of Christ who struggle ascetically in this desert, I left my monastery and came hither; and God hath not deprived me of the fulfillment of my intention, for He hath vouchsafed me to behold thy holiness.’

“Later, I asked him, saying: “How camest thou to this place, father? How many years hast thou abode in this desert? What dost thou eat, and why goest thou about naked and unclothed?’ He then spake to me of himself, saying:

“‘In the beginning I dwelt in one of the communities in the Thebaïd, leading the monastic life and diligently serving God. I occupied myself with weaving. But the thought occurred to me to leave the community and live alone, laboring and struggling to receive from God a greater reward, for thou mayest with the work of thine own hands feed not only thyself, but may also feed the poor and provide ease for traveling brethren. Embracing my thought with love, I left the brotherhood, built a cell for myself near the city, and occupied myself with handiwork; for me this was quite enough, for with the works of my hands I acquired all that I needed. Many came to me, asking for the products of my labor, and brought me every necessity; and I gave shelter to sojourners, and anything left over I gave to the poor and needy. But the devil, the enemy of our salvation, who ever wageth war on all men, envied my way of life. Desiring to destroy all my labors, he inspired a certain woman to come to me to obtain some of my handiwork and to ask me to prepare a sheet of linen; and when I had finished it, I gave it to her. We entered into conversation, which resulted in boldness; and having conceived sin, we gave birth to iniquity, and I abode with her for the space of six months, committing sin all the while. But finally I gave thought to my soul, realizing that today or tomorrow death would overtake me, and I would suffer eternal torments. And I said to myself: “Alas, O my soul! It would be better for thee to flee this place, to save thyself from sin, and at the same time from eternal torment!” Therefore, leaving everything behind, I secretly ran away and came to this desert. And when I reached this place I found this cave, spring and the date-palm which has twelve branches. Every month one of the branches butteth forth such a quantity of fruit as serveth fully for my sustenance over the course of thirty days. And when the month is over, and the fruits of one branch have been exhausted, those of another branch come to ripeness: thus am I fed by the grace of God. I have nought else in my cave. My garments wore out and fell to pieces years ago (for I have dwelt in this desert for thirty years already). But my hair hath grown as thou seest; it taketh the place of my clothing, covering my nakedness.’

“After the ascetic had told Paphnutius all of this, the latter asked him: “Father, at the beginning of thine ascetic struggles in this place, didst thou encounter any hindrances?” The elder answered him, saying: ‘I endured countless demonic attacks. Many times they would wage war against me, but they were unable to vanquish me, for the grace of God helped me. I opposed them with the sign of the Cross and with prayer. But in addition to the assaults of the enemy, bodily illness also hindered me; for I suffered greatly from a stomach ailment so intense that I was thrown to the ground by severe pain. I was unable to make my customary prayers standing, but while lying on the floor of my cave and tossing about on the ground I managed with great effort to accomplish my hymnody, though I had not the strength to leave the cave. I prayed to our merciful God, that He forgive me my sins for the sake of mine illness. And one day, while I was sitting on the ground, suffering greatly from my stomach, I beheld a dignified man standing before me, who said: “From what dost thou suffer?” I was barely able to answer him, saying: “Lord, I suffer from my stomach.” He then said to me: “Show me where it paineth thee.” I showed him; and, stretching forth his hand, he pressed his palm against the painful place, and straightway I recovered. He then said to me: “Lo! thou art now healthy again; sin no more, lest it be even worse with thee. But labor for the Lord thy God from henceforth, and forever.” And from that time, by the mercy of God, I have not been sick, but glorify and praise Him for His lovingkindness.’

“I spent almost the entire night in such conversation with that venerable father (said Paphnutius), and in the morning I arose to say my usual prayers. When day dawned, I began zealously to entreat that holy one to permit me to live either near him or somewhere not far away. But he said to me: ‘Brother, thou wouldst not be able to endure the temptations of the demons in this place.’ And for this reason he would not allow me to remain by his side. I also asked him to tell me his name. And he said: “My name is Timothy. Remember me, brother, and entreat Christ God in my behalf, that He ever show forth upon me the lovingkindness He hath vouchsafed me.’ I fell to the ground at his feet,” said Paphnutius, “asking him to pray for me. And he said: ‘May our Master, Jesus Christ, bless thee, and may He preserve thee from every temptation of the enemy and guide thee to the straight path, that thou mayest attain holiness without hindrance.’

“And having blessed me, the venerable Timothy bade me farewell in peace. I received from his hands some hearts of palm to sustain me on the way, and replenished my water supply from the spring. Then, having made obeisance to the elder, I set out, glorifying and giving thanks to God, that He had vouchsafed me to behold such a saint, to listen to his speech and to take his blessing.

“When I had journeyed for several more days, I arrived at a desert monastery, where I tarried to rest. With sorrow I asked myself what sort of life I was leading and what manner of ascetic feats I had accomplished. My way of life and asceticism could not even be called the shadow of those wrought by the great saint I had so recently encountered. I spent no few days in such ponderings, desiring to emulate that righteous man in pleasing God. But by the mercy of God Who had moved me to take care concerning my soul, I did not long delay in taking the trackless path into the innermost desert—that road along which dwelt the barbarian tribe known as the Maziks. I greatly desired to learn if there might be another such ascetic who served the Lord. And I was most desirous of finding such a one, to derive from him profit for my soul.

“Setting out on my intended desert journey, I took with me a small quantity of bread and water, which sufficed for a little time. And when the bread and water were used up, I was grieved, for I had no more food; yet I took courage and walked four more days and night without sustenance, so that I became exhausted in body, and fell to the ground, expecting an imminent death. Then I beheld a saintly, beautiful and radiant man approaching me, who, when he had touched his hand to my mouth, vanished. Immediately I sensed a marshaling of my powers, so that I no longer desired to eat or drink.

“Arising, I resumed my journey into the innermost desert, walking another four days and nights without food; but I soon became exhausted again without sustenance. This time I beheld a man approaching me, very curious of visage: like a beast he was covered all over with hair as white as snow, for he was of a very advanced age. The hair of his head and beard was very long, reaching down to the ground, and it covered his body like a garment. His loins were girded about with the leaves of desert plants. When I saw this man approaching me, I was stricken with fear and fled to a crag located at the top of a mountain. But, coming to the foot of the cliff, he sat in the shade, intending to take some rest, for he was quite worn out from the heat, as well as from his age. Looking up at the mountain, he espied me and, addressing me, said:

“‘Come down to me, O man of God! I am a man like you. I live in this desert, struggling in asceticism for the sake of God.’

“I arose. He then indicated that I was to sit, and I gladly sat down next to him. I began earnestly to ask him to tell me his name and to describe his manner of life to me: how he struggled in the desert and how long he had been there. Giving in to my importunate questions, he began to tell me of himself, saying:

“‘My name is Onuphrius. I have lived in this desert for sixty years, wandering about the mountains. I have never encountered any other man until I came upon thee. In the past, I lived in a certain respected monastery called Eratus, which was located near the city of Hermopolis, in the province of Thebes. A hundred brethren resided in that monastery: they all dwelt in complete oneness of mind one with another, leading the cœnobitic life in love for our Lord Jesus Christ. They held their food and clothing in common; they led the ascetic life in stillness and peace, glorifying the mercy of the Lord. When I was a child, I was, as a novice, instructed by the holy fathers in earnest faith and love for the Lord, and also learned the rules of the monastic life. I heard what they said of the holy Elijah, the prophet of God, namely, that, strengthened by God, he lived, fasting, in the wilderness; and I likewise heard of Saint John the Forerunner of the Lord, of whom there was never anyone the like, as to his life in the wilderness until the day of his revelation to Israel. And when I heard this, I asked the holy fathers: “Doth this mean that those who struggle in the wilderness are greater than us in the eyes of God?” And they answered me, saying: “Yea, child, they are greater than us; for we see one another every day, and we joyfully accomplish the hymnody of the Church as a community. If we desire to eat, we have bread already prepared, and if we desire to drink, there is water at hand. If any of us falleth ill, such a one receiveth consolation from the brethren, for we live in common, we help and serve one another out of love for God. But those who live in the desert are deprived of all of this. But if misfortune befalleth one of the desert-dwellers, who will console him? Who will help and minister to him amid illness? If the power of Satan assaileth him, where will he find a man who will impart courage to his mind and give him instruction, since he is alone? If he hath no food, where will he acquire it without toil; and if he likewise thirsteth, he will not find water nigh at hand. They have a labor incomparably more difficult than ours, for we live in common. Those who undertake the desert life begin to serve God with greater diligence, undertake a stricter degree of fasting, and subject themselves to hunger and thirst; with equinimity they endure the burning heat of the day and the frigid cold of nighttime; they mightily oppose the wiles devised by the invisible foe, striving in every way to vanquish him; and they diligently try to walk the straight and narrow path which leadeth to the kingdom of heaven. Because of this, God sendeth to them His holy angels, who bring them food, cause water to pour forth from stone, and strengthen them to such an extent that the words of the Prophet Isaiah are fulfilled in them, who saith: ‘They that wait on God shall put forth new feathers like eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; they shall walk, and not hunger’ [Is. 40: 30]. If any of them is not vouchsafed to see the angels, he is in any case not deprived of the invisible presence of the angels of God, who preserve such a desert-dweller in all his ways, defend him from the attacks of the enemy, aid him in the doing of good works, and bear to God the prayers of the ascetic. If some unexpected assault of the enemy be made on any of the desert-dwellers, he will lift up his hands to God, and straightway help from on high will be sent down upon him, and all such perils are set at nought because of his purity of heart. Hast thou not heard, O child, what is said in the Scriptures, that God doth not leave unheeded those who seek Him, ‘the poor man shall not be forgotten to the end; the patience of paupers shall not perish forever’ [Ps. 9: 19], and ‘they cried unto the Lord in their affliction, and out of their distresses He delivered them’ [Ps. 106: 6]; for the Lord rewardeth each man in accordance with the labor he taketh upon himself. Blessed is the man who doeth the will of the Lord on earth and laboreth diligently for Him: the angels minister to such a man, even if invisibly. They make his heart glad with spiritual joy and strengthen him at every hour, as long as his soul abideth in his body.”

“‘All of this, I, the lowly Onuphrius, heard in my monastery from the holy fathers, and my heart was filled with sweetness by these words, for they were for me more pleasing than honey, and it seemed to me that I was in some other world; for there appeared within me the desire to go into the desert. Arising at night and taking a little bread, enough to last for four days, I left the monastery, placing all my hope on God. I took the path which led up to the escarpment, intending to go from there into the desert. No sooner did I begin to enter the wilderness, than I saw before me a brightly shining ray of light. Greatly frightened, I halted in fright and considered returning to the monastery. The light, however, drew nigh unto me, and I heard from it a voice, which said: “Fear not! I am the angel who hath accompanied thee from the time of thy birth, for I have been assigned to thee by God to protect thee. The Lord hath commanded me to lead thee into this desert. Be thou perfect and humble of heart before the Lord, and serve Him with joy, and I shall never depart from thee until the Creator command me to take thy soul.”’

“‘And when he had spoken these things from within the ray of light, the angel went on before me, and I followed him with joy. When we had traveled about six or seven miles, I espied a particularly spacious cave, and at that moment the ray of angelic light vanished from mine eyes. Approaching the cave, I desired to ascertain whether there might be some man inhabiting it. As I drew nigh to the entry, I called out, following monastic custom: “Give the blessing!’ Then I beheld an old man, honorable and noble of mien, in whose person and countenance the grace of God and the joy of the Spirit shone. At the sight of him, I fell at his feet, making obeisance before him. Then, raising me up with his hands, he greeted me and said: “Art thou the brother Onuphrius who art my work-fellow in the Lord? Enter my dwelling-place, child. And as God helpeth thee, remain in thy calling, doing good deeds in the fear of God.”’

“‘On entering the cave, I paused and tarried with him for several days, questioning him concerning his virtues. This I achieved, for he taught me the rules of the desert-dwellers’ life. And when the elder perceived that my spirit had already been enlightened somewhat, so that I understood what works were pleasing to the Lord Jesus Christ, and he likewise saw that I had been strengthened for the constant battle waged against the secret enemies and terrifying phantoms which are found in the wilderness, he said to me:

“‘“Arise, child! I will take thee to another cave, located in the inner desert. Live alone therein, and struggle for the Lord; for it is for this that the Lord hath sent thee hither—that thou mightest become a dweller in the inner desert.”’

“‘Having said this, he took me into the innermost desert: we traveled four days and four nights. Finally, on the fifth day, we came upon a little cave. The holy man then said to me: “Lo! this is the very cave prepared by God for thy struggles.” The elder abode with me for thirty days, teaching me good works; and when a month had elapsed, he entrusted me to God and returned to the site of his own struggles. From that time on, he would come to visit me once a year, until he reposed in the Lord. It was during this past year that he reposed, during one of his customary visits to me. I lamented his passing very much, and buried his body near my dwelling-place.’

“Then I, the lowly Paphnutius, asked him: ‘Honorable father, didst thou undertake many labors at the beginning of thy sojourn in the desert?’ The blessed elder answered me, saying: ‘Trust me, my beloved brother, that I undertook such heavy labors that I many times despaired of my life, considering myself close to death: for I grew weak from hunger and thirst. From the beginning of my stay in the desert I had nothing to eat or drink save only when I found desert plants, which I ate for food. I slaked my thirst only with the dew of heaven. The heat of the sun burned me by day, and at night I shivered with cold. In the morning, I found my body covered with dew-drops. What did I not endure; what labors and struggles did I not undertake in this desert? It is impossible to relate all the toils and struggles, and it is not fitting to recount what man must do alone for the sake of God.

“‘Seeing that I had dedicated myself wholly to ascetic feats, committing myself to hunger and thirst, our good God ordered His angel to care for me and daily to bring me a little bread and water to strength my body. Thus was I nurtured by the angel for a period of thirty years. When this time had elapsed, God gave me more abundant food, for near my cave I found a date-palm which hath twelve trunks: each trunk produced its own fruit independently of the others, one during one month, another dyring the second, and so forth, until all twelve months are accounted for. When one month ended, the fruit borne by one trunk iss gone, just as the fruit on another trunk cometh to ripeness. Moreover, at God’s command a spring of living water gushed forth near me. And so for another thirty years I have been struggling with such riches—sometimes receiving bread from the angel, sometimes eating dates and desert roots which, as God willeth, seem to me sweeter than honey. And I drink of this spring, giving thanks unto God. But more than all else I eat and drink the sweetness of the word of God, as it is written: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” [Mt. 4: 4]. Brother Paphnutius, if thou wilt fulfill the will of God with all diligence, thou shalt receive from God all that is needful; for it saith in the Holy Gospel: “Take no thought saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or With what shall we be clothed? For after all these things do the gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you” [Mt. 6: 31-33].’

“When Onuphrius had said all of this, I (Paphnutius relates) marveled greatly at his wondrous life. Then I asked him again: ‘Father, in what way dost thou receive communion of the all-pure Mysteries of Christ on Saturdays and Sundays?’ And he answered me, saying: ‘The angel of the Lord cometh unto me, bearing with him the all-pure Mysteries of Christ, and he communeth me. And the angel bringeth Communion not only to me, but to the rest of the ascetics of the desert who for God’s sake live in the desert and do not look upon men’s faces; and when he giveth Communion, he filleth their hearts with ineffable gladness. If any of those desert-dwellers desire to see a man, the angel taketh him and beareth him up to the heavens, that he might behold the saints and rejoice. The soul of such an ascetic is illumined as with light, and he rejoiceth in spirit, having been vouchsafed to behold the good things of heaven; and the desert-dweller is then no longer mindful of all the toils he undertook in the wilderness. When he returneth to his own place, he beginneth to serve the Lord more diligently, hoping to receive in the heavens what he was accounted worthy to behold.’

“Onuphrius conversed with me (said Paphnutius) about all of this at the foot of the mountain where we met. And I was full to overflowing with great joy by this conversation with the venerable one, and likewise forgot all my toils in my desert, which entailed hunger and thirst. Thus, strengthened in spirit and body, I said: ‘Blessed is the man who hath been vouchsafed to behold thee, O holy father, and to hear thy most sweet and beautiful words!’ Then he said unto me: ‘Let us arise, brother, and go to my habitation.’ And, arising, we went forth.

“‘I (Paphnutius says) did not cease to marvel at the grace of the venerable elder. When we had gone two or three miles, we came to the honored cave of the saint. Near that cave grew a large date-palm, and a little spring of living flowed forth. Pausing by the cave, the venerable one prayed; and when he had finished, she said: ‘Amen.’ Then he sat down and indicated that I also should sit next to him. And we conversed, recounting to one another the mercies of God. When the day began to incline toward evening, and the sun was already in the west, I beheld a loaf of pure bread lying between us, and water prepared. And that blessed man said to me: ‘Brother, take of the bread which lieth before thee, and drink of the water, that thou mayest be strengthened; for I see that thou hast grown weak from hunger and thirst and the toils of the desert.’ I replied to him, saying: ‘As my Lord liveth, I will not eat and drink alone, but only with thee!’ The elder would at first not agree to eat, but I importuned him at length and was finally able to persuade him to do what I asked. Stretching forth our hands, we grasped the loaf of bread, broke it and ate of it; and when we had satisfied our hunger, only a few crumbs remained. After we had poured water to drink and given thanks unto God, we spent the whole night in prayer to God.

“When the next day dawned, I noticed that the face of the venerable one was transformed after our morning hymnody, and I was filled with awe on this account. But, perceiving this, he said to me: ‘Fear not, Brother Paphnutius, for God, Who in all things is full of lovingkindness, hath sent thee to me, that thou mightest commit my body to burial. This very day I shall reach the end of this transitory life and shall depart unto my Christ, to live endlessly in eternal rest.’

“It was then the twelfth day of the month of June, and the venerable Onuphrius charged me, Paphnutius, saying: ‘Beloved brother, when thou returnest to Egypt, remember me to all the brethren and all Christians.’ And I answered him, saying: ‘Father, after thy repose I would like to remain here, in thy place.’ But the venerable one said to me: ‘My child, thou wast sent by God into this desert not to struggle here, but that, having seen the servants of God, thou mightest go back and recount to the brethren the virtuous life of the desert-dwellers, for the benefit of their souls and unto the glory of Christ our God. Go then, child, into Egypt, to thine own monastery, and to other monasteries as well, and relate all thou hast seen and heard in the wilderness; and likewise relate what thou shalt yet see and hear. And do thou thyself struggle in good works, serving the Lord.’

“And as the venerable one said this, I fell at his feet, saying: ‘Bless me, most honored father, and pray for me, that I may find mercy before God! Make entreaty for me, that my Savior may vouchsafe me to behold thee in the life to come, just as He hath vouchsafed me to see thee in this life.’ Then, lifting me up from the ground, the venerable Onuphrius said to me: ‘Paphnutius my child, may God not ignore thy request, but fulfill it. May God bless thee and make thee steadfast in His love, and enlighten thy noetic eyes to behold the vision of God; may He deliver thee from all misfortunes and the snares of the adversary; and may He continue the good work begun by thee. May His angels keep thee in all thy ways and preserve thee from the invisible foe, that the enemy may find themselves unable to slander thee before God at the dread hour of testing.’

“After this, the venerable father gave me a last kiss in the Lord, and then began to pray to the Lord with tears and sighs from the depths of his heart. And having knelt down and prayed for a long time, he lay down on the ground and uttered his final words: ‘Into Thy hands, O my God, do I commit my spirit!’ And just as he said this, a wondrous light from heaven illumined him, and amid the radiance of this light the venerable one, joyous of countenance, surrendered up his spirit. And straightway, in the air I heard the voices of the angels, singing and blessing God; for the holy angels, taking up the soul of the venerable one, joyfully bore it aloft unto the Lord.

“Then I (Paphnutius) began to weep and lament over his precious body, filled with sorrow that I had been so unexpectedly deprived of one whom I had so recently found. Then, removing my clothing, I tore out its inner lining, and with it covered the body of the saint; but I put on the outer layer again, that I might not return to my brethren naked. I found a large rock in which, by the providence of God, there was a hollow like unto a tomb, and in this hollow I placed the holy body of the great favorite of God, the while chanting fitting psalms. Afterwards, I gathered many small rocks and stones, and with them covered the body of the saint.

“When this was done, I began to pray to God, begging Him to permit me to dwell in that place. But when I wished to enter the cave, it straightway collapsed before my very eyes; the date-palm which fed the saint withered up, and the spring of living water ceased to flow. When I saw all of this, I understood that it was not pleasing to God that I dwell there.

“Intent on departing from thence, I ate the remains of the previous night’s meal, and likewise drank the water which remained in a cruse; then, raising my hands and lifting up mine eyes unto heaven, I again began to pray. I then beheld the same man whom I had previously seen walking in the desert; this was the same man who, when he had strengthened me, had gone before me. As I left that place, I was exceeding sorrowful of heart, regretting that I had not been counted worthy to behold the venerable Onuphrius among the living for any length of time. But afterwards I rejoiced in soul, understanding that I had been deemed worthy to delight in his holy discourse and to receive a blessing from his lips. And thus I set forth, glorifying God.

“When I had traveled for four days, I came upon a little cell which stood high up on a hill that held a cave. Entering it, I found no one; and when I sat down for a while, I began to think to myself: ‘Doth anyone live in this cell to which God hath led me?’ And while I was thinking thus, a holy man entered: his hair was as white as snow; his visage was wondrous and luminous; and he wore clothing plaited of palm-fronds. When he saw me, he said: ‘Art thou the Brother Paphnutius who committed the body of the venerable Onuphrius to burial?’ Understanding that he had received from God a revelation concerning me, I fell at his feet. But, consoling me, he said: ‘Arise, brother! God hath deemed thee worthy to be a friend to His saints; for by the providence of God I knew that thou must needs come to me. Beloved brother, let me tell thee of myself: I have dwelt in this desert for sixty years, and all throughout this time I have never had a man come to me, save the brethren who abide here with me.’

“And as we were conversing together, three other elders, resembling the first in appearance, entered in. And straightway they said to me: ‘Give us a blessing, brother! Thou art Brother Paphnutius, our fellow-laborer for the Lord! Thou gavest burial to the body of the holy Onuphrius. Rejoice, brother, that thou hast been counted worthy to behold the great grace of God. The Lord hath told us of thee, that thou wouldst come to us today. The Lord hath commanded thee to remain with us for one day. We have dwelt in this desert for sixty years, each living in separate quarters; but on Saturdays and Sundays we gather together in this place. We have never seen a man until thou didst arrive here.’

“After they had conversed with me concerning our venerable father Onuphrius and the other saints, at the second hour the elders said to me: ‘Take a little bread and strengthen thyself, brother, for thou hast come from afar; it is fitting that we rejoice with thee.’ And rising up, we offered prayer unto God in oneness of mind, and beheld lying before us five loaves of pure bread, very tasty, soft and warm as though freshly baked. Then each of the elders brought in some of the fruits of the earth; and sitting down, we began to eat.

“Then the elders said to me: ‘As we have told thee, this is how we have lived in this desert for sixty years: always, in accordance with God’s command, only four loaves were provided us; but now, because thou hast come unto us, a fifth loaf hath been sent. We do not know whither these loaves come, but every day, when each of us entereth his cave, he findeth a loaf of bread in it. And when we assemble hither on the eve of Sunday, we find four loaves here, one for each of us.’ When we finished our meal, we arose and gave thanks to the Lord.

“By this time, the day had inclined towards evening and night was approaching. Arising from our Saturday meal, we stood to pray, and remained all night without sleep, praying until dawn of Sunday. When day broke, I began earnestly to entreat the fathers to permit me to stay with them until my death. But they said to me: ‘It is not God’s will that thou stay with us in this desert. Thou must needs go into Egypt, to relate to the Christ-loving brethren all that thou hast seen, in our memory and for the benefit of those who listen to thee.’ When they had said this, I importuned them to reveal to me their names; but they did not wish to tell me. Long and with great assiduity did I ask them, but my supplication availed me nought; they only said: ‘God, Who knoweth all things, knoweth also our names. Remember us, that we may be vouchsafed to behold one another in the divine mansions of heaven. Beloved, strive in every way to avoid the trials and temptations of the world, lest thou be overcome by them; for they have dragged many down to perdition.’ The fathers then foretold to me several events which later proved to be true. When I heard these words from the venerable fathers, I fell at their feet and, having taken their blessing, went my way with the peace of God.

“When I left them, I traveled through the inner desert for one day before I reached a certain cave, near which there was a spring of living water. There I sat down to rest, admiring the beauty of that place, for it was exceeding beautiful. Round about the spring there grew many trees heavy laden with fruit. When I had rested for a while, I arose and walked among those trees, marveling at the large quantity of fruit, and thinking to myself: ‘Who hath planted all of this here?’ There were several different kinds of fruit: dates, citrons, apples large and red, figs, and vines heavy with large grapes, and many other fruit-bearing plants growing there as well. Their fruits were sweeter than honey, and they emitted a fragrant scent. And the spring which gushed forth in that place watered all those plants. When I beheld it, I took it to be the paradise of God. While I marveled at the great beauty of that place, I saw four youths of noble mien, coming toward me from the desert; they were wrapped in sheepskins. Coming up to me, they said: ‘Hail, brother Paphnutius!’ And falling prostrate before them, I made obeisance to them.

“When they had lifted me to my feet, they sat down next to me and began to converse. The faces of these youths shone with the grace of God; and it seemed to me that they were not humans, but angels come down from heaven. The youths rejoiced greatly at my arrival and, picking fruit from the trees, offered them to me as food; and my heart was filled with joy by their love. I spent seven days with them, eating of the fruits of those trees. Furthermore, I asked them, saying: ‘How came ye to this place? Whence come ye?’ And they answered me, saying: ‘Brother, since God Himself hath sent thee to us, we will tell thee of our life. We were born and raised in Oxyrhynchus; our parents were leading citizens in that city. Desiring that we acquire an education, they sent us to a certain school, where in a short time we mastered the art of reading. But when we began to succeed also in higher studies, all of us were convinced that it was the Lord Who was aiding us; and we resolved to study more exalted, spiritual wisdom. From that time, meeting together daily, we inspired one another to diligence in the service of God. And with this good intention in our hearts, we wished to find somewhere a quiet and solitary place in which to spend several days in prayer, that we might learn God’s intention concerning us. Each of us took a little bread and water, enough to supply his needs for a week; and then we left the city. When we had walked for several days, we reached the desert. When we entered we were stricken with awe, for we beheld before us a certain radiant man resplendent in heavenly glory. Taking us by the hand, he brought us to this place, which thou seest. He then entrusted us to the care of a man, a servant of the Lord, who had already attained a great age. And, lo! we have abode here for six years already. We struggled in asceticism with that elder for a year, during which he taught and instructed us as to how one ought to serve the Lord. But at the end of that year, our father departed unto the Lord, and from that time since we have lived here alone. Thus have we told thee who we are and whence we have come, brother. Throughout the course of these six years we have eaten no bread, nor any other kind of fruit save the fruits of these trees. Each of us liveth in stillness, separate from the others. When Saturday cometh, we all gather together in this place; we see one another, and receive consolation in the Lord. And having abode together for two days, Saturday and Sunday, each then returneth to his own place.’

“When I had heard all of this from them, I (Paphnutius) asked them: ‘On Saturdays and Sundays where do ye receive communion of the divine Mysteries of the all-pure Body and Blood of Christ our Savior?’ They answered me: ‘We assemble here on Saturdays and Sundays because a holy angel, sent by God, cometh to us and giveth us Holy Communion.’ Rejoicing greatly to hear this, I thought to tarry with them until Saturday, that I might behold the holy angel and received divine Communion from his hands. And I did remain until that day. For my sake they stayed in that place with me, none leaving for his own well. And we spent those days together, in glorification of God and in prayer, eating of the fruit which grew on the trees and drinking water from the spring. When Saturday arrived, the servants of Christ said to me: ‘Prepare thyself, beloved brother, for the angel of God will now come and bring us divine Communion. He who is deemed worthy to receive Holy Communion from his hands will receive forgiveness of all his sins and become a terror to the demons, so that the temptations of Satan cannot approach him.’ And while they were telling me this, I sensed a wondrous aroma, as from a censer full of pungent incense, and I was moved to compunction, for I had never sensed such a wondrous fragrance before. Then I asked the youths: ‘Whence cometh this ineffable fragrance?’ Then answered me: ‘The angel of the Lord draweth nigh with the all-pure Mysteries of Christ.’ Then straightway standing up to pray, we began to hymn and glorify Christ God our King. Suddenly, a light from heaven shone round about us, and we saw the angel of God descending from on high, shining like lightning. I fell prostrate upon the ground out of fear; but those youths raised me up and told me not to be afraid. I then saw the angel of God standing before me in the guise of a comely youth; his beauty is difficult to describe. He held in his hands the holy chalice containing the divine Gifts. The servants of God approached him one by one and received Communion. After them I also, sinful and unworthy, approached with great trembling, and with terror and ineffable joy I communed of the all-pure Mysteries of Christ from the hands of the angel. And while I partook of Communion, I heard the angel say: “May the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, our God, be unto thee as incorrupt food, never-ending gladness and everlasting life.”’ And to this we responded: ‘Amen.’

“After Holy Communion, we took a blessing from the all-glorious angel; then, before our very eyes, he soared aloft into the heavens, and we, falling down, made obeisance unto God, thanking Him for His great mercy towards us. Our heart was full to overflowing with great joy, so that it seemed to me that I was not on earth, but in heaven. So great indeed was my joy that I attained a state of ecstasy. Then the servants of God brought forth vegetables and offered them to me; and sitting down, we ate together.

“Meanwhile, Saturday came to an end and night fell, which we spent without sleep, in psalmody and the glorification of God. On Sunday, we were vouchsafed the same grace of God which we had received on Saturday, for the angel of God arrived in the same manner and form, and in communing us, filled our hearts with great joy. Then, possessed of boldness, I asked the angel of God to permit me to dwell together with the holy servants of God until the end of my life. But he said to me: ‘It is not God’s pleasure that thou dwell here; He commandeth thee to proceed without delay to Egypt and to tell all the brethren what thou hast seen and heard in the desert, that others may strive to lead a good life and please Christ our God. In particular, unto everyone relate in detail the holy life and blessed repose of the venerable Onuphrius, whom thou didst lay to rest in the rock. Recount to the brethren all that thou didst hear from his lips. Blessed art thou, that thou wast counted worthy to see the wondrous and great works of God revealed in His saints. Trust in the Lord, that in the age to come He will also reckon thee with the saints thou hast seen and with whom thou hast conversed. Go thy way now, and may the peace of God be with thee.’ And having said this, the angel flew up to heaven.

“So overcome was I (Paphnutius relates) with great fear and joy at the angel’s words, that I could not stand on my feet, but fell to the earth as one unconscious. But the holy servants of God raised me up and comforted me; then, setting forth vegetables, we ate together and gave thanks to God.

“At last, having bade farewell to the saints, I set out on my path. The honorable youths gave me vegetables for my journey, and accompanied me for five miles. I earnestly implored them to tell me their names; and they told me, ‘John, Andrew, Heraclemon and Theophilus,’ and asked me to relate their names to the brethren for commemoration. And I asked them to remember me in their prayers. Then, having exchanged a kiss in the Lord, we parted, they returning to their own place, and I proceeding in the direction of Egypt.

“As I journeyed through the desert, I was grieved and at the same time joyful. I was sorrowful because I no longer enjoyed the sight and sweet conversation of the great favorites of God, of whom the whole world is not worthy; but I was joyful became I had been counted worthy of their blessing and the vision of the angel, and also to receive Communion at the hands of the angel. I walked for three days before I came to Sketis, where I encountered two brethren who were struggling as hermits. I spent ten days with them and told them of all I had seen and heard in the desert. They listened to me with great compunction and joy, and then said: ‘Truly, father Paphnutius, thou hast been vouchsafed great divine mercy, for thou hast seen such great servants of God!’

“Those two brethren lived a very virtuous life and loved God with all their heart. They wrote down all that they heard from my mouth. Then, having bade them farewell, I proceeded to mine own monastery. The written account of my tale they sent to all the holy fathers and brethren living in Sketis; and all who read or heard it received gre at spiritual benefit, and glorified God Who manifesteth His great mercies upon His servants. Afterwards, they deposited the record of what I had said in the church, that all who desired might read it, for it is very edifying and conducive to the knowledge of God. And I, the least of slaves Paphnutius, having been vouchsafed such grace by God (though I am in nowise worthy of it), do declare to all, by mouth and in writing, what I was ordered to recount, unto the glory of God and the memory of the saints of God, and for the profit of those who seek salvation for their souls. May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all, through the supplications of our holy and venerable fathers who are pleasing unto Him, now and for endless ages. Amen.”

Translated from the Russian by the reader Isaac E. Lambertsen, from The Lives of the Saints in the Russian Language, According to the Menology of St. Dmitri of Rostov, Vol. X (Moscow: Synodal Press, 1908), pp. 230-252.