Venerable Aemilian

The Venerable Aemilian was a Roman. He lived in sin until old age. At last, repentant, he went to a monastery and was tonsured a monk. The Venerable Aemilian was distinguished by uncomplaining obedience and strict fasting. Night after night he secretly went to a cave not far off and prayed fervently. Once the abbot quietly followed the monk and saw him watering the ground with tears of repentance. Suddenly a voice rang out from heaven: “Aemilian, thy sins are forgiven thee.” Shaken by what he had seen, after the morning service the abbot asked Aemilian to reveal his secret to the brethren. And the saint told his spiritual brothers of the boundless goodness of God. The abbot said to the monks: “The Lord could have forgiven Aemilian his sins without a revelation. He made His will known by a voice and a light so that we too might see God’s boundless goodness and love toward those who repent sincerely.”

The Venerable Aemilian spent the remaining years of his life in spiritual joy and reposed in peace.