Venerable Thalassius of Libya

Venerable Thalassius of Libya (the African) was an ascetic of the first half of the seventh century, a presbyter and abbot of a monastery in the Libyan desert of North Africa. His exact dates are unknown; he reposed around the year 660. Thalassius was a close friend and longtime correspondent of Saint Maximus the Confessor, who at his request composed an interpretation of difficult passages of Scripture — the celebrated "Questions and Responses to Thalassius" (Quaestiones ad Thalassium), one of the major works of Byzantine theology. Abba Thalassius is himself remembered in ascetic literature as the author of the profound spiritual work "Four Centuries on Love, Self-Control, and Life according to the Intellect," addressed to the presbyter Paul; written in acrostic form, it was included in the Philokalia, the renowned anthology of patristic writings on prayer and spiritual struggle. He is depicted in iconography as a monastic ascetic rather than a bishop. His memory is celebrated on 20 May/2 June.