Righteous Theodulus of Sinai

Venerable Theodulus of Sinai, a hieromonk, lived in the fifth century. He was the son of St. Nilus the Ascetic (of Sinai), a renowned monk and spiritual writer. While still a youth, Theodulus withdrew with his father from the world to Mount Sinai, where they settled in a cave dug by their own hands and lived a life of strict asceticism. During a raid by nomadic Saracens on the desert-dwelling monks, many were killed, and the young Theodulus was taken captive; the raiders intended to sacrifice him to the morning star, which they worshiped instead of the true God. The hour of sacrifice passed because the captors overslept, and the youth was sold into slavery instead of being killed. He ended up in the Palestinian city of Elusa in the Negev, where the local bishop ransomed him and received him into the clergy. After a long search, his father Nilus found him there, and the bishop ordained both ascetics to the priesthood. They returned to Sinai, serving the Lord until the end of their lives.