Venerable Ammon (+c. 350)

The Venerable Ammon, one of the founders of the monastic order, was born in Egypt. After the death of his parents his uncle took charge of him and brought him up in Christian piety. It was by his uncle’s wish too that the saint married, but, desiring a virginal life, he persuaded his wife to keep her purity. The couple laboured for nearly twenty years in secret virginal purity, in fasting, prayer and work, and then continued their ascetic life separately. Ammon’s wife stayed at home and set up a convent there, while Ammon himself went away to the desert of Nitria, where he spent twenty-two years, attained spiritual perfection and gained the gifts of working miracles and of insight.

The venerable father often visited Anthony the Great (commemorated 17 January) to receive his blessing. Once, on his way to the saint, the ascetic lost his way in the desert and, exhausted, fervently besought the Lord for help. In answer to his prayer a hand appeared in the clouds, showed the blessed one the way to go, and led him until Father Anthony’s cave came into view.

The Venerable Ammon died around the year 350. Anthony the Great saw the angels carrying his soul up to heaven.