• =?UTF-8?Q?January_11th_=E2=80=93_St=2E_Theodosius_the_Cenobiarch=2C_her

    From rich@1:396/4 to All on Sun Jan 10 09:08:33 2021
    From: rich <richarra@gmail.com>

    January 11th =E2=80=93 St. Theodosius the Cenobiarch, hermit, abbot

    (423-529)
    =C2 Roughly translated, cenobitical means =E2=80=9Cpeople who have a life=
    in
    common,=E2=80=9D and refers to the monks who joined Saint Theodosius=E2=80=
    =99
    community. These monks, of many nationalities, devoted themselves to
    the Lord, but did not remain in seclusion. Rather, they socialized and interacted with the outside world, which was a new approach to
    monasticism at that time!

    Theodosius was born to pious parents in Mogarissos, Cappadocia (modern
    Turkey). Attracted to the academic life, he began his studies at an
    early age, impressing all with his intellect and mind, and became a
    lector while still young. Even as a child, he felt a desire to imitate
    Abraham by leaving his parents, friends, relatives and everything else
    for the love of God. Acting upon his calling, Theodosius left home and
    set out for Jerusalem at the time of the Holy Fourth Ecumenical
    Council of Chalcedon held in 451.

    On his way to Jerusalem, Theodosius stopped in Antioch, where he was
    greeted by Saint Simeon the Stylite. Simeon, greeting him by name,
    invited Theodosius to climb his pillar. Together, the two spent time
    in prayer and blessing, and Saint Simeon prophesied great spiritual
    work for Theodosius. Following this momentous meeting, Theodosius
    continued on to Jerusalem, visiting the Holy Places, and eventually
    entering a monastery under the direction of abbot Longinus. Theodosius
    began to live the life of a hermit in the desert, settling near the
    Tower of David, but eventually became well known and respected, and
    was sought out by pilgrims and disciples.

    To escape the steady stream of pilgrims, Theodosius withdrew further
    into the wilderness, settling on a mountaintop, residing in a cave
    that tradition tells us is the same cave that the three Magi spent the
    night in following their paying homage to Jesus (and later received
    the angel's message, warning them to return to their home countries
    without returning to Herod).

    Theodosius lived for many years in his cave, practicing extreme forms
    of austerity and asceticism. He generally refused to sleep and eat,
    standing and praying throughout each day and night. To prevent falling
    asleep, he tied a rope from the roof of the cage to hold him up, lest
    he be overcome. Theodosius ate only enough to live--surviving on
    dates, carob, wild vegetables, legumes, and hearts of palm. Again, his dedication to the Lord and his pious practices attracted many
    followers from the neighboring countries, and Theodosius eventually
    founded a small community of monks near Bethlehem.

    This cenobitical community, which later became the Monastery of Saint Theodosius, attracted many followers of varied cultures and languages,
    and grew rapidly. The monk's service to the sick, elderly, and mentally impaired is legendary. Theodosius used his influence as the abbot of
    the many cenobitical communities that developed to oppose the spread
    of heresies and fight for the true teachings of the Church. Due to his
    zealous preaching and many followers, he was at one time exiled, but
    later recalled. He spent the last years of his life in poor health,
    but never stopped working for his communities and praying constantly.
    Saint Theodosius died at the age of 105, and was buried in his
    hermit's cave. This site has become a noted place of pilgrimage and
    miracles.

    The life of Saint Theodosius the Cenobiarch was one of sacrifice and
    suffering for the Lord and for his people. He willingly gave up his
    home, his friends, and his family, traveling great distances to follow
    the call of the Lord. He suffered poor health, exile, and hunger--all
    the while, shining as an example of Christian love, devotion to
    prayer, and concern for one's fellow human beings. The charity of
    Saint Theodosius came at a great cost to him, and inspires us today to
    be charitable to our neighbors, remembering that charity is sometimes
    not easy=E2=80=A6 that there is cost to us as well.


    Saint Quote:
    I pray You to destroy in me all that is not of You. Grant that I may
    live but in You, by You and for You, so that I may truly say, with
    Saint Paul, "I live--now not I--But Christ lives in me.
    -- Saint John Gabriel Perboyre

    Bible Quote
    From the blood of Abel unto the blood of Zacharias, who was slain
    between the altar and the temple: Yea I say to you, It shall be
    required of this generation.=C2 (Luke 11:51)


    <><><><>
    O God, whose blessed Son became poor that we through his poverty might
    be rich: Deliver us from an inordinate love of this world, that we,
    inspired, by the devotion of your servant St. Theodosius the
    Cenobiarch, may serve you with singleness of heart, and attain to the
    riches of the age to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives
    and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.
    Amen.

    --- NewsGate v1.0 gamma 2
    * Origin: News Gate @ Net396 -Huntsville, AL - USA (1:396/4)