SAINT BARSANUPHIUS, ANCHORET
Saint Barsanuphius, an anchoret, lived for some years at the monastery of St Seridon near Gaza in Palestine, but locked himself in a separate cell for love of solitude in the year 540, where he devoted himself entirely to the contemplation of divine truths.
His Vita, which has come down to us, contains partly fabulous, partly uncertain anecdotes, which is why it has only a subordinate value in providing information about our Saint. His name is listed in the Roman Martyrology* on April 11, with the addition that he lived under the Emperor Justinian; but that his feast is celebrated on February 6 in Oria near Siponto in Italy, because on this day in the 9th century his relics were brought there.
St Barsanuphius is also commemorated on February 6.
(Information from Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints, Volume 1, Augsburg, 1858)
*A hagiography source used by the authors
Stadler's Complete Encyclopedia of Saints - Sources and Abbreviations
PRAYER:
Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Barsanuphius 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.
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