St. Arsenius the Great
St. Arsenius was born in Rome around 354 to a noble Christian family and was chosen by Emperor Theodosius the Great to tutor his sons Arcadius and Honorius in Constantinople.
Hearing a divine voice say, "Arsenius, flee from men and you will be saved," he abandoned the imperial court and sailed to Egypt, where he lived some fifty-five years as a hermit at Sketis and elsewhere in the desert. Renowned for his profound silence, ceaseless prayer, and gift of tears, he became one of the most revered of the Desert Fathers, and his words are preserved in the Sayings of the Desert Fathers. He reposed in peace around the year 449, nearly a hundred years old.
I have often repented of having spoken, but never of having been silent.
Strive with all your might to bring your interior activity into accord with God, and you will overcome exterior passions.
If we seek God, He will show Himself to us, and if we keep Him, He will remain close to us.
God knows that I love you, but I cannot live with God and with men.
I have indeed been taught Latin and Greek, but I do not know even the alphabet of this peasant.
Prayer of St. Arsenius
O God, do not leave me. I have done nothing good in Your sight, but according to Your goodness, let me now make a beginning of good.
Troparion
By a flood of tears you made the desert fertile, and your longing for God brought forth fruits in abundance. By the radiance of miracles you illumined the whole universe! O our holy father Arsenius, pray to Christ our God to save our souls!
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