Venerable Arsenius (VIII–IX)

The Venerable Arsenius was the son of noble and pious parents living in Constantinople. The emperor appointed him a military commander. Once, when the saint was carrying his army across the sea in ships, a storm suddenly arose. The ships sank. Of the whole host only Saint Arsenius survived. After this he was tonsured a monk. Grown spiritually valiant through such labours, the ascetic went to Mount Latros in Asia Minor and by prayer and the sign of the Cross killed a harmful asp. Then the saint settled in the Kellibara monastery built on the northern slope of the mountain, and here he was appointed hegumen. Striving for still stricter labours, after some time the father left the monastery, drove wild beasts out of one of the caves by the power of prayer, and settled in it. Little by little a brotherhood gathered around him. The blessed one usually spent the whole week in solitude in his narrow cell, and on Sunday took food and instructed the brothers. At last the Venerable Arsenius attained such perfection that an angel brought him food.

The venerable father reposed in peace, surrounded by the brothers. It is supposed that he laboured in the eighth or ninth century.