Saint Hilarion

Life story

According to the biography Jerome wrote at Bethlehem around 390, Hilarion was born about 291 at Tabatha, a village some five miles south of Gaza, to pagan parents. He was sent to Alexandria to study with a grammarian. There he heard of the hermit Anthony, went to him for about two months, and then left to live alone in the Palestinian wilderness.

Back near Gaza, he found his parents dead and gave away his goods. Around 308 he built a hut inland from the coast, about seven miles from Maiuma, and lived there for 22 years. His reputation drew others to settle around him, which is why he is regarded as the founder of monastic life in Palestine.

After Anthony's death (around 356) he travelled to Egypt. According to Jerome, he later moved on to Sicily, where his disciple Hesychius found him, and then to Dalmatia, where a legend says he calmed the sea by drawing crosses in the sand during the tidal wave of 365. This is legend, not verified history.

Finally he came to Cyprus, was welcomed by his disciple Epiphanius, and settled near Paphos before moving to a more remote spot. He died there in 371, aged about 80. About ten months later his disciple Hesychius moved his body to the monastery at Maiuma.

Works and witness

• Studied for about two months with the hermit Anthony in Egypt
• Lived as a hermit near Maiuma, Palestine, for 22 years from about 308
• Travelled through Egypt, Sicily and Dalmatia to Cyprus
• Subject of a Life written by Jerome around 390

Saints from the same country

Saint Justin Martyr, Saint Cyril of Jerusalem, Saint Epiphanius of Salamis, Saint Marie-Alphonsine Danil Ghattas

References

• Jerome, Life of Hilarion (Latin Vita Hilarionis, c. 390)
• Catholic Encyclopedia (1913), "St. Hilarion"
• Wace, Dictionary of Christian Biography, "Hilarion (1), hermit of Palestine"

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.