Venerable Pardus the Hermit (VI)

The Venerable Pardus the Hermit was born in Rome. In his youth he worked as a carter. Once, when the blessed one was travelling towards Jericho, his cart ran over a small child. Horror-stricken, Pardus was tonsured a monk and went to Mount Arion. He considered that he should pay the penalty as a murderer, and sought death. Pardus went to a lion’s den so as to give up his soul torn to pieces by it, but in vain. The hermit submitted to God’s will, returned to his mountain, and spent his life in fasting and prayer (VI).