Saint Onuphrius the Egyptian – Aged Lithograph – Mount Athos

Description

Aged Lithograph of Saint Onuphrius the Egyptian

One of the greatest ascetic figures of the Egyptian deserts, Onuphrius was originally from Persia. From childhood, he showed a fervent desire for total dedication to God. At a young age, he joined a cenobitic brotherhood, where for many years he practiced spiritual and physical discipline and obedience. His deep humility earned him the great love of his fellow brothers. As he matured, Onuphrius desired to journey deeper into the desert, to experience and imitate the life of the hermits there. With great sorrow, the brotherhood released this exceptional member. After walking a long distance through the desert, he came upon the hut of the hermit Hermias, who had been divinely informed of his coming. Hermias led him to a hut beneath a towering palm tree, beside which flowed the waters of a clear spring. There, Onuphrius devoted himself to even greater spiritual asceticism, and his reputation spread among the desert hermits, who often visited him for advice and blessing. Eventually, when Abba Paphnutius visited him, Onuphrius gave up his spirit, and Paphnutius buried him beneath the great palm tree. His life reminded all of the words of Apostle Paul: “Train yourself in godliness” (1 Timothy 4:7), meaning to train and accustom yourself to the continuous practice of a holy life.

Origin: Mount Athos