ST PAPHNUTIUS, BISHOP - 11 SEPTEMBER

 

ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN SEPTEMBER

Saints celebrated on the 11th of September

WELCOME!

SAINT PAPHNUTIUS, BISHOP 

The most celebrated personage of this name was bishop of a city in the Upper Thebaid [Thebais] in the early fourth century, and one of the most interesting members of the Council of Nicaea (325). 

HE HAD SUFFERED FOR THE FAITH

He suffered mutilation of the left knee and the loss of his right eye for the Faith under the Emperor Maximinus (308-313), and was subsequently condemned to the mines.

At Nicaea he was greatly honoured by Constantine the Great, who, according to Socrates, used often to send for the good old confessor and kiss the place whence the eye had been torn out. 

HE TOOK PART IN THE COUNCIL OF NICAEA

He took a prominent, perhaps a decisive, part in the debate at the First Ecumenical Council on the subject of the celibacy of the clergy. It seems that most of the bishops present were disposed to follow the precedent of the Council of Elvira prohibiting conjugal relations to those bishops, priests, deacons, and, according to Sozomen, sub-deacons, who were married before ordination. 

Paphnutius earnestly entreated his fellow-bishops not to impose this obligation on the orders of the clergy concerned. He proposed, in accordance "with the ancient tradition of the Church", that only those who were celibates at the time of ordination should continue to observe continence, but, on the other hand, that "none should be separated from her, to whom, while yet unordained, he had been united". 

"NONE SHOULD BE SEPARATED"

The great veneration in which he was held, and the well known fact that he had himself observed the strictest chastity all his life, gave weight to his proposal, which was unanimously adopted. Paphnutius was present at the Synod of Tyre (335). 

Excerpts from Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913

PRAYER:

Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Paphnutius may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.