Memorial Day of St. Pimen the Great (09/09)

Rev. Pimen the Great was born around 340 in Egypt. In his younger years, having taken a vow of silence and renunciation of the world, he began to work in a deserted hermitage near Diocles. His brothers also labored with him: the elder Anubius and the younger, an unknown man by name.

Saint Pimen, spending days and years in postnic works and constantly in prayers, succeeded in monastic virtues and, with the help of God, courageously took up arms against the invisible adversary. He killed his flesh, drained it like some prisoner with great labors, and subdued it to serve the spirit. Thus, he rose to the pinnacle of dispassion and became the most glorious of all the desert fathers, as the most perfect in virtues.

After some time, the ruler of that country wanted to see St. Pimen and sent a messenger to him with a request to allow him to come to the saint. Dissatisfied with the refusal, the ruler imprisoned the nephew of the Monk Pimen and told his mother (the Rev.’s sister) that if Pimen came to him, he would release her son, but if not, he would put him to death. The elder answered with dignity, and the prince was surprised at the intelligence and virtue of his husband, realizing that he was a true saint of God. The prince released the young man. The Monk Pimen, avoiding vain glory and human honors, went to another place and wandered around different countries for a long time.

Then he settled again in the Egyptian desert and remained in it until his death, pleasing God with postnic labors, but at the same time not leaving people with his instructions, which were distinguished by great prudence, many of which were preserved in the Fatherland Books and have not lost their edifying meaning to this day. Reverend Pimen died at the age of 110. His demise followed around 450.

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