The Monk Hesykhios the Fast-Keeper

The Monk Hesykhios the Fast-Keeper

Commemorated on March 5

The Monk Hesykhios the Fast-Keeper was born in the sea-coast city of Adrineia in Bithynia. Raised since his youth in piety, he left his parental home and asceticised in a wilderness spot on Mount Maionis. Despite the threat of demons and wild animals and robbers living there, the holy ascetic in seeking greater solitude settled there and built himself a cell, digging himself a garden and eating from the fruit of his labours. After a certain while disciples began to throng to him. At a spring of water in a valley not far off Saint Hesykhios built a church in the name of the holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called. Even during his lifetime the monk was granted the gift of wonderworking. One time they brought a demon-possessed girl to him. Her parents, falling down at the feet of the holy ascetic, implored his holy prayers for her healing. The holy ascetic made prayer for the unfortunate one, and the devils left her. Turning to the parents of the healed girl, the Monk Hesykhios prophetically predicted, that a women's holy monastery would arise at the place their daughter was healed. And actually the prophecy was fulfilled in the future.
An Angel appeared to Saint Hesykhios three days before his end and predicted to him his approaching demise. The monk accepted the news with joy. And before his blessed end, the saint summoned his disciples and for a long while he instructed them. At midnight the cell of the saint and the surrounding area suddenly gleamed with an Heavenly light, and the Monk Hesykhios expired to the Lord with the words: "Into Thine hand, O Lord, I commend my spirit". At the place of his efforts, in accord with the prediction of the Monk Hesykhios, was later on built a women's monastery. The holy relics of the Monk Hesykhios, buried at the church of the holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called, were later transferred by Theophylaktos, bishop of Amasia, to the city of Amasia (Asia Minor).

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