Venerable Marcian of Cyrrhus (+c. 388)

The Venerable Marcian of Cyrrhus laboured in the desert near the city of Cyrrhus. He settled in a small hut and spent his time in prayer, the singing of psalms and the reading of divine books, and ate very little. The report of the venerable father’s holy life spread far and drew to him those who wished for spiritual labour. The saint founded a monastery for the brothers.

The Venerable Marcian received from the Lord the gift of wonderworking. Once he made the sign of the cross over a snake that had crawled into his cell, and fire consumed the reptile; at night, when the saint was reading, a heavenly flame gave him light; and the venerable father worked many other miracles to help the brotherhood. He reposed in peace around 388.