Venerable Thalelaeus the Syrian (+c. 460)

The Venerable Thalelaeus lived in the fifth century. He came from Cilicia (Asia Minor); he was tonsured a monk in the Lavra of Sabbas the Sanctified and ordained priest there. Later, having moved to Syria, the father found near the city of Gabala an abandoned pagan altar surrounded by tombs, and settled there in a tent. The place had a bad name, for the evil spirits nesting in it frightened travellers and did them much harm. In such a place the Venerable Thalelaeus shut himself up and gave himself to unceasing prayer. For a long time the demons tried to disturb him with a terrible din and hideous apparitions, but with God’s help the venerable father defeated them, finally subdued them, and rid himself of the troublesome enemy. After this he made his labours still stricter: he built a hut so narrow that he could barely move in it with his head bowed, and lived in it for about ten years.

The Lord granted the saint the gift of wonderworking. The miracles he worked converted many to the law of Christ. With the help of the pagans who had become Christians the venerable father destroyed the altar, built a church in its place, and established daily services in it. Saint Thalelaeus died around 460, in deep old age. In the “Limonarion” of John Moschus (+622) it is said of the venerable father that Thalelaeus of Cilicia was a monk for sixty years and never ceased to shed tears, saying: God has given us this time for repentance, brothers, and if we lose it, we shall be severely punished.