Acta Sanctorum

Nilammon

6 January · vita
Latin source: Heiligenlexikon
St. Nilammon (d. 404), a recluse at Gera in Egypt who died in prayer rather than accept the episcopal ordination that Patriarch Theophilus of Alexandria came to impose on him. Sozomen recounts how Nilammon asked for one day's delay, and when Theophilus returned, the holy man was found dead, having preferred death to the burden of the bishopric. 5th century

ON ST. NILAMMON, RECLUSE AT GERA IN EGYPT.

A.D. 404.

Commentary

Nilammon, Recluse at Gera in Egypt (S.)

From various sources.

[1] Gerrum is a city of Egypt, found in Ptolemy, Table 3 of Africa, beyond Pelusium toward Palestine. Pliny reports that it is called Adipson, book 6, chapter 29. The city of Gera. Geras (Greek: Geras) is what Sozomen and Nicephorus call it; others call it Gera. Some conjecture that the obscure village of Maseli exists in its ruins. The city was once an episcopal see.

[2] St. Nilammon the Recluse. Here St. Nilammon the Recluse led a most holy life, and by a death obtained through divine favor, he avoided the burden of the episcopate that was about to be imposed on him both by the people's votes and by the authority of the Patriarch of Alexandria. Concerning him, the Roman Martyrology for January 6 states: "At Gera in Egypt, of St. Nilammon the Recluse, who, while he was being dragged unwillingly to the episcopate, gave up his spirit to God in prayer." Sozomen recounts the event as follows in book 8, chapter 19.

[3] "Theophilus (Patriarch of Alexandria, a most fierce adversary of St. John Chrysostom, as we shall say in his life on January 27) immediately, without any delay, although winter was already setting in, fled and sailed away to Alexandria together with the monk Isaac. But when a storm at sea pressed upon him, he put in at Gera, which is a small city about fifty stadia from Pelusium. The bishop of this city having then died, the citizens, as I have learned, had chosen as pastor of their church Nilammon, a good man He is elected bishop. who had ascended to the summit of the monastic life. He was living before the city in a small dwelling in which he had shut himself up, the door being blocked with stones, for the express purpose of avoiding the priesthood.

[4] "Theophilus, therefore, coming there, urged him to accept the ordination offered by him. But although Nilammon frequently excused himself before him, he obtained nothing. At length, to the one insisting, he said: 'Tomorrow, Father, if it please you, do so, that I may first put my affairs in order today.' But when Theophilus came the next day as agreed and ordered him to open the doors, Nilammon said: 'Come now, Dying in prayer. let us first pray.' When this was agreed, Theophilus indeed prayed, but Nilammon departed this life while praying. This was unknown at first both to Theophilus and to those who were standing outside with him; but as the day gradually wore on, because though they called out to him more and more earnestly he did not hear, they pulled down the stones that were at the door and found the man dead. They therefore wrapped him in the proper manner and honored him with a public burial; and the inhabitants also built a temple over his tomb, and to this day they celebrate the day of his death with the greatest solemnity. He is venerated by his fellow citizens. And so Nilammon died in this manner — if indeed one ought to call it death, which he preferred to undergo rather than accept the episcopate, which he judged himself unworthy of on account of his natural modesty." So writes Sozomen.

Nicephorus reports the same in book 13, chapter 17, and from Sozomen, Baronius in Volume 5 of the Annals, year 403, number 32.

Annotations

Notes

a. This Isaac the monk was a Presbyter of St. John Chrysostom and his adversary, as Baronius shows from Palladius in Volume 5 of the Annals, year 403, number 14, where he reviews the Acts of the Pseudo-Synod of the Oak.
b. Pelusium was a famous city of Egypt, from which the eastern mouth of the Nile is called Pelusiac. More on this city on February 4, in the life of St. Isidore of Pelusium.
c. Indeed, Nicephorus reports that the feast day was still being observed down to his own time; which makes me wonder all the more that his name is absent from the Greek calendars.