Venerable Auxentius (+c. 470)

The Venerable Auxentius, a Syrian by origin, served at the court of the Emperor Theodosius the Younger (418–450). He was known as a pious, learned and wise man, and was friends with many spiritually exalted ascetics of his time.

Heavy of soul at the vanities of this world, Auxentius withdrew from the life of the court; he was first ordained priest, and then tonsured a monk. After this he went to Bithynia, found a secluded place on Mount Oxeia near Chalcedon, and shut himself up there (afterwards this mountain was called the mountain of Auxentius). Shepherds looking for stray sheep happened upon the blessed father, and after that the sick and those afflicted in spirit came to the saint more and more often to ask for help. By the grace of God the wonderworking father worked many healings.

In 451 Saint Auxentius was summoned to the Fourth Ecumenical Council in Chalcedon, where he boldly and convincingly exposed the heresies of Eutyches and Nestorius. Deeply versed in Holy Scripture, the father easily defeated his opponents. After the council had ended, Auxentius returned to his secluded cell. With spiritual sight he foresaw the blessed end of Saint Symeon the Stylite (+459).

The Venerable Auxentius died around 470. The saint founded many monasteries in the region of Bithynia, where many of his disciples laboured.