Zebinas

ON SAINTS ZEBINAS, POLYCHRONIUS, MOSES, AND DAMIAN, ANCHORITES IN SYRIA.

FIFTH CENTURY

Zebinas, Anchorite in Syria (St.) Polychronius, Anchorite in Syria (St.) Moses, Anchorite in Syria (St.) Damian, Anchorite in Syria (St.)

J. B.

[1] Many anchorites celebrated for the sanctity of their lives flourished in the region of Cyristica during the reign of Theodosius the Younger, whose contests Theodoret, Bishop of Cyrus in the same province, commemorates in his Philotheus, or Religious History. Their commemoration on February 23 The Greeks venerate most of them with public worship, as can be seen from their Menaea and the Lives of the Saints by Maximus, Bishop of Cythera. And indeed in both of these the memory of four of them is noted on February 23, in these words: "On the same day, the commemoration of our holy Fathers Zebinas, Polychronius, Moses, and Damian." Then the following epitome of their Life is added.

[2] Of these, the divine Zebinas built for himself a religious training-ground on a certain mountain, Epitome of their Life from the Menaea on which he exercised himself in ascetic labors until old age. He surpassed all men of his time in the assiduity of his prayers. Then, when he could no longer stand on account of old age, he devoted himself to prayer leaning upon a staff. After he had led so admirable and God-pleasing a life, he expired. The divine Polychronius, his disciple, so closely imitated the life of his master that not even wax represents the forms of signet rings so faithfully. For he persevered in constant standing and the practice of prayer. He did not, however, carry iron, lest he should cause some harm to weaker persons by deterring them from the religious life. But he bore on his shoulders the root of an oak, of such weight that one could not easily move it with both hands, and so he afflicted his body with that burden. From these labors, divine grace flourished in him: for by his prayers he broke an excessive heat, and filled an empty oil-flask with oil. After performing many other wonders, he departed to the Lord. His disciples were Moses and Damian. The former indeed dwelt in the cell of Polychronius and vividly expressed his master's virtue in himself. Damian, however, having come to a certain village called Hiera, found near Hellos a tiny, most desolate dwelling, and stayed in it, following most carefully the rule of life of his master as well; for he had nothing in his cell besides a small basket of lentils, which he used for food. Such great benefit they derived from the companionship of Polychronius, and they too lived holy lives.

[3] Thus far the Menaea, which Cytheraeus translated into the vulgar language now used by the Greeks. fuller from Theodoret More splendidly and eloquently does Theodoret narrate their Acts in chapter 24 of his Philotheus, or Religious History, which is book nine in the Lives of the Fathers. We have collated the edition of Heribert Rosweyde, from the translation of Gentien Hervet, with the Greek text and the translation of Sirmond.

LIFE, by Theodoret, chapter 24 of the Philotheus.

By Theodoret the Bishop.

[1] Those who were deemed worthy to see him praise Zebinas to this very day. They say that, when he had reached extreme old age, he continued the same labors until the end: Zebinas, despite old age, relaxes nothing of his labors; constant in prayer nor, though pressed by the most burdensome old age, did he alter anything of the contests of his youth. He surpassed, as they said, all men of his time in the assiduity of prayer. Engaged in it day and night, he was not only not satiated, but his desire grew ever more intense. Indeed, even when conversing briefly with those who came to him, he could not bring himself to draw his thoughts down from heaven; but as soon as he was free from them, so that he was not separated even for the briefest moment from the things of the God of all, he offered prayer once more. in old age, leaning on a staff But when old age no longer permitted him to stand continually without discomfort, a staff provided him support, and leaning upon it he both praised and prayed to the Lord. hospitable Since, besides other good qualities, he was adorned with love for guests, he bade many of those who came to him to wait until evening. But they, fearing that they would stand there all night, would slip away from those labors, making some business of their own the pretext.

[2] That great Maro also admired him, and he bade all who came to him to go to Zebinas honored by the judgment of St. Maro and receive his blessing, calling him Father and Master, and naming him the exemplar of all virtue. He asked moreover to be placed in the same tomb; but those who seized that sacred body did not permit it, and carried it to the place we have mentioned. The divine Zebinas, after death, by miracles who had died before him, received his funeral rites in a village near him (it is called Cirtica). They built a very great temple over his tomb; a temple erected for him for upon those who approach with faith he pours forth varied and manifold healing. And even now he has under the same roof Martyrs who contended among the Persians and are honored by us with annual and celebrated festivals.

[3] This great man's teaching Polychronius received; and indeed the most divine James said that Zebinas first gave him a tunic woven of hair. But I, who never saw him (for before my arrival he had received the end of his life), in this excellent Polychronius behold the philosophy of the divine Zebinas: Polychronius, disciple of Zebinas for not so does wax express the figures of signet rings as this man reproduces the form and character of the other. And this I know clearly, comparing what is narrated about the former with what is done by the latter. and his imitator For he is likewise inflamed with divine desire, and is superior to all earthly things, and though bound to a body has a winged mind, which is borne aloft and passes through the air and ether, in the pursuit of prayer and becomes loftier than the heavens, and perpetually apprehends the divine contemplation by vision, nor can he ever draw his mind away from there; indeed, even while conversing with those who visit him, his mind traverses the things above.

[4] and nocturnal standing His vigil and standing throughout the entire night I learned in this way. When I saw him both struggling with old age and with infirmity, and having absolutely no care for his body, I often entreated him and persuaded him on Theodoret's advice, he admits two companions to take on two companions to live with him and receive some consolation from them. But since he requested men distinguished for virtue who were living by themselves in another monastery, I also persuaded those admirable men to place the care of the divine man above all else. When they had lived with him for a short time, they attempted to flee, not being able to endure that nocturnal standing. But when I besought the divine man to measure his labor by the weakness of his body, he said: "Not only do I not compel them to stand with me constantly, yet he does not compel them to equal labors but I even often command them to lie down." But they would say: "How could we lie down while he who has grown old in labors stands and despises the weakness of his body, when we are healthy and in the prime of life?" But thus I learned of the nocturnal labors of that venerable head.

[5] These men, however, in the course of time acquired such great virtue they too live holy lives that they pursued that philosophy alongside this great man. And ^k Moses (for that is his name) remained to this very day, rendering him every service as to a father and lord, Moses stays close to him and accurately and perfectly reproducing the virtue that shines forth from that sacred soul.

[6] Damian, however (for that was the name of the other), having come to a certain ^l village not far away -- its name is Niara -- Damian migrates elsewhere and having found, besides other dwellings, a certain small and humble house, he lived in it, pursuing the same way of life, to such a degree that those who know both him and the other well, looking upon him, think they are seeing the soul of Blessed Polychronius in another body. For the same simplicity and gentleness and moderation are there, the same softness of speech, the same sweetness in conversation, most like his master the same watchfulness of soul and understanding of God, the same standing and labor and vigil and food, and that poverty and possession of nothing which is according to the divine law. For besides one small basket he lives on moistened lentils containing moistened lentils, there is nothing in his dwelling. Such great benefit he received from the companionship of the great Polychronius.

[7] But leaving the disciple, I shall return to the master, for from the spring the streams of the brooks proceed. Polychronius conceals his virtues He, then, having cast out among other vices also the desire for glory from his soul, and having trampled the tyranny of vainglory, always strove to conceal his labors. And ^m he could not bring himself to wear iron, fearing lest he derive some harm from it if his soul should receive from it the inflammation of arrogance. he prays weighed down by a heavy burden But when he had ordered a very heavy root of an oak to be brought to him, as though he needed it for some other use, he would place it on his shoulders both by night and pray with it set upon him, and also by day when he had leisure. But when someone came and knocked at the door, he would hide it in some place. When a certain person had seen it, he told me; Theodoret vainly trying to prevent this and when I wished to know its weight, I could scarcely lift it with both hands. When he saw me, he ordered me to put it down; but I begged him to allow me to take it, so as to deprive him of the occasion for labor. But when I saw him take it ill, I yielded to him, overcome by his desire for victory.

[8] From these labors the grace given him from God also flourished, and many miracles were wrought through his prayers. he becomes famous for miracles For when that severe drought that was afflicting the people had stirred them to prayer, a multitude of priests came to him. With them there was also a certain man who had been entrusted with the pastoral care of many villages in the region of Antioch. He, among those present, asked the elders to persuade Polychronius to place his right hand upon an oil-flask. But when they said he would not do it, during the prayers that followed, while the head venerable to me was praying, the man stood behind and held out the flask with both hands. while praying, he fills an oil-flask with oil It began to overflow so abundantly that two or three of those present extended their hands and received them full of oil. But although he radiates the beams of divine grace and is full of upright duties, illustrious deeds, and virtuous achievements, and daily amasses the riches of philosophy, he is nevertheless endowed with such modesty and moderation he kisses the feet of all who come that he embraces both feet of each of those who come to him and places his forehead upon the ground, whether the visitor is a soldier, an artisan, or a peasant.

[9] I shall now narrate something that can teach his simplicity and moderation. A certain good man who had obtained the governorship of this people, having come to Cyrus, desired to enjoy with me the sight of these great athletes. After we had visited the others, we came also to him whose virtue we are now narrating. When I had said that the one who had come with me was ⁿ the Governor, suppliant, he begs the Governor for prayers and a lover of justice and equity, the divine man immediately stretched out both his hands and grasping both his feet, said: "I want you to promise me a certain petition." When the Governor took this ill and begged him to rise and promised that he would do what he commanded (for he conjectured that the man wished to make a request on behalf of someone subject to his jurisdiction), the divine man said: "Since you have promised, and confirmed your promise with an oath, offer prayers to God for me with keen and fervent zeal." The Governor, striking his forehead, besought him to release him from his oath, as one who was not worthy ^o to offer prayers to the Lord on his behalf. What speech, then, could worthily reach the praises of him who in so lofty a philosophy possesses such modesty and moderation?

[10] Not even the various and manifold diseases that fell upon him slowed his zeal for undertaking labors; he does not cease labors on account of diseases but though beset by various illnesses, he sustains the same labors. Though we have often urged him at length with many words, we barely built this little dwelling for him, providing a little warmth for a body that was clearly chilled. Many who are still alive have often offered him gold, he rejects gold offered to him and those who have departed have also left him some; but he never accepted anything from anyone, rather he bade them be stewards of what was brought. he returns to the giver a hair-shirt that was too fine Moreover, the great [p] James also sent to him a hair-shirt that had been brought to him by someone; but he sent that back too, since it seemed to him to be thicker and finer. For he always used garments that were worthless and of the least value. So greatly did he esteem poverty to be more desirable than any kingdom he values poverty highly that he did not always even have the necessary nourishment. For I know that I have often come and asked for a blessing and found nothing else but only two dried figs. This honey is very much to be desired by those who see it and is sweet and most pleasant to those who hear of it. For I have seen no man, not even among those who are witty and sharp-tongued, who ever aspersed him with any stain of reproach; he is an object of veneration to all but all praise and celebrate him, and those who come to him by no means wish to depart.

p. In Greek it is "sisyran." Sirmond translates, "a garment of skins."