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Saint Sisoes the Great
Image: Erud · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Saint Sisoes the Great

Fifth-century hermit known for humility, who lived in Saint Anthony's cave

Rank
Saint
Kind
Religious, Mystic
Life
d. 429
Era
5th century
Feast
6 July
Countries
Egypt
Egypt

Life story

Sisoes was a Copt who withdrew from the world in his youth. According to Orthodox sources he went to the desert of Scetis, lived for a time under the direction of Abba Hor, then crossed the Nile to the mountain where Anthony the Great had lived, and settled in the cave Anthony had used. The Orthodox Church in America biography says that after sixty years of ascetic labour he reached great purity of soul and the gift of working miracles, including, on one occasion, raising a dead child through prayer.

He was strict with himself but gentle and compassionate toward others. When a monk asked how to keep the constant remembrance of God, he answered that the great thing is to regard oneself as inferior to everyone else. Asked whether a year is enough for repentance after a brother's fault, he said he trusted God's mercy to accept a wholehearted repentance within three days. Many incidents from his life appear in the collections of the Sayings of the Desert Fathers.

According to the account of his last hours, his disciples saw his face shine like the sun. He said he saw Anthony, the prophets and the apostles, and asked for a little more time to repent; when the monks said he had no need, he humbly replied that he did not think he had even begun. He then said he saw the Lord himself and died. He died in 429, and his commemoration is on 6 July. This is the monastic tradition's account.

Works and witness

  • Withdrew to the desert of Scetis in youth and learned under Abba Hor
  • Lived in the cave once used by Saint Anthony
  • Taught that regarding oneself as lower than everyone else is a great thing
  • Died in 429

Saints from the same country

Saint Anthony of Egypt, Saint Athanasius, Saint Cyril of Alexandria, Saint Catherine of Alexandria

References

  • Orthodox Church in America, “Venerable Sisoes the Great” (oca.org, 6 July) – death 429, cave of Anthony, sixty years, raised a dead child, last hours; read via search summary
  • Wikipedia (English), article “Sisoes the Great” – Scetis, Abba Or, feast

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