Blessed Hesychius the Horebite (IV)

The blessed Hesychius the Horebite laboured in one of the monasteries of Athos in the sixth century, and at first was not distinguished by zeal. After a grave illness he died, but by the wonderful providence of God he came back to life within an hour. After this the blessed one shut himself up in his cell and spent twelve years in complete solitude; he ate only bread and water, prayed unceasingly and shed tears of repentance. Before his repose the saint said to the monks who had gathered: “Forgive me, brethren. He who has the remembrance of death will never sin.” The wonderful silence of the blessed father gave rise to a whole skete of silent hesychasts on Mount Athos.