Venerable
Venerable Barsanuphius the Great of Gaza
VI век
Also known as: Варсануфий Египетский
Venerable Barsanuphius the Great — a native of Egypt, he labored in the 6th century, during the reign of Emperor Justinian I, at the monastery of Abba Seridos near the city of Gaza in Palestine; for over 50 years he lived as a recluse in a cave-cell in complete silence; together with his disciple John the Prophet, he compiled the famous collection of "Questions and Answers" — one of the most authoritative works of Orthodox ascetic literature.
Venerable Barsanuphius was born in Egypt and labored in the 6th century, during the reign of Emperor Justinian I (483-565). He came to the monastery of Abba Seridos near the city of Gaza in Palestine, where he undertook an exceptionally severe ascetic feat of enclosure: for over 50 years he lived in seclusion in a small cave-cell near the monastery, keeping complete silence and eating only bread and water. He acquired great gifts of clairvoyance, healing, and spiritual discernment. Together with his disciple and fellow-recluse, Venerable John the Prophet, he compiled an extensive collection of written questions and answers (about 850 letters) addressing the questions of monks and laypeople about the spiritual life — a work known as the "Guide to Spiritual Life" or "Questions and Answers," which to this day is honored as one of the most important sources of Orthodox ascetic teaching. His memory is kept on February 6/19.
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