Venerable Thalassius, Limnaeus and Baradatus, Hermits of Syria (V)
The Venerable Thalassius, a Syrian hermit, lived in the fifth century. While still young he withdrew to the summit of a mountain near the village of Tarbal, and spent thirty-eight years under the open sky. The Lord granted the hermit the gifts of wonderworking and healing. Many wished to labour under his guidance, and the holy father refused no one. The Venerable Thalassius reposed in peace.
The Venerable Limnaeus began his labours under the guidance of Saint Thalassius; he lived beside him for quite a long time and acquired many virtues: simplicity in dealing with people, humility and obedience. Afterwards the Venerable Limnaeus moved to the blessed Maron (commemorated 14 February); on the summit of a mountain he made a small stone enclosure without a roof and settled in it. The saint spoke with visitors through a small opening in the wall.
Moved by love and compassion for his neighbour, the holy father, with the help of his spiritual children, built a shelter for the infirm on the slopes of the mountain. For these lowly and destitute members of the brotherhood the blessed ascetic even sacrificed his silence and solitude; he took on the care of their spiritual food and urged them unceasingly to pray and glorify God.
For his holy life the venerable father received from God the gift of wonderworking.
The Venerable Baradatus the Syrian began his labour as a hermit in a hut near Antioch. Afterwards, on the summit of a mountain, he made a stone cell so narrow and low that one could only be in it bent double. The cell had neither door nor windows, and through openings made on purpose in the walls wind, rain and cold came in freely. Nor in summer was the venerable father protected from the scorching heat. After many years the saint was visited by the Patriarch of Alexandria, Theodotus, who urged him to leave his narrow shelter. Then the Venerable Baradatus took on a new labour: he covered himself from head to foot in a leather tunic, which had only one narrow opening for air, and, standing on his feet with uplifted hands, glorified the Lord without ceasing. The valiant ascetic’s heart was gradually cleansed of evil passions. Many people began to come to hear his counsel, and the father, full of obedience, diligently instructed everyone. Having become a vessel of divine grace, the monk reposed in peace.
