Saint Theodore the Sanctified

Theodore was only twenty-five years old when Saint Pachomius took him as a companion on his visits to his monasteries. Five years later, he ordered him to prepare to receive the priesthood. He then entrusted him with the governance of the monastery of Tabennisi, and went to seclude himself in that of P bow. Pabau Monastery where Saint Pachomius retired. Theodore would go there every evening to hear the instructions that Saint Pachomius gave to his monks, and would come to repeat them to those of Tabennisi; which did not prevent him from instructing them himself in private conferences.

Having one day accompanied his blessed father to a monastery located near Panopolis, in Lower Egypt, a philosopher from that city asked to confer with Pachomius. The holy abbot thought it best to send Theodore to him. The philosopher proposed various questions. Theodore answered him with as much wit as accuracy; then he exhorted him to renounce speculations as vain as they were sterile, so as to occupy himself only with the science of salvation.

The pious solitary sometimes suffered greatly from a violent toothache. Saint Pachomius consoled him by telling him that involuntary afflictions, borne with patience, were more useful for salvation than voluntary abstinences and long prayers.

Saint Pachomius fell ill at Pabau, two years before his death. The monks of Tabennisi made Theodore promise that he would take charge of the government of the entire congregation when the holy abbot was no longer living. Although he had only made this promise against his will and after long resistance, Saint Pachomius rebuked him severely for it and removed him from the superiority of Tabennisi. He submitted with joy, acknowledging that he had rendered himself guilty of presumption and vanity. For two years, he was the last in the community, even after the novices. He suffered this humiliation in silence and practiced great austerities. His virtue shone with a new brilliance, and the abasement in which he found himself was more useful to him than superiority, as Saint Pachomius often told the other monks.

Saint Pachom Saint Pacôme Founder of cenobitic monasticism and master of Theodore. ius died in 348, and he was succeeded by the one he had designated himself: this was Petronius, whom death also took a month later. Saint Hors iesios was e Saint Orsise Successor of Petronius who ceded his position to Theodore. lected to replace him; but finding the burden beyond his strength, and knowing that there were some troubles in the congregation, he had Theodore elected in his place, assuring him that in doing so he was following the order that Saint Pachomius had given before dying. Theodore assembled the monks, exhorted them to peace, and put an end to all causes of division. His prayers, his discourses, and his examples restored union and charity everywhere. Horsiesios served as his assistant. There was the most perfect understanding between them, because they had banished all feelings of pride and jealousy. They sought to surpass one another in thoughtfulness and humility; Theodore never did anything without consulting Horsiesios, and they visited the monasteries one after the other.

Theodore instructed each of his monks individually; he consoled them in their sorrows, and encouraged them to walk in the paths of penance. He corrected faults with a gentleness that won over all hearts, and there was no one who did not reveal their most secret thoughts to him with complete confidence. He had recourse to prayer and fasting to bring back to duty those who had strayed from it, and this means always succeeded for him. He was favored with the gift of miracles and that of prophecy.

Being one day on the Nile with Saint Athanas saint Athanase Bishop deposed by heretics and reinstated at the Council of Sardica. ius, he told him that Julian the Julien l'Apostat Roman emperor and persecutor of Christians. Apostate was dying at that very moment, and that his successor would restore peace to the Church: which was soon verified by the event. The Saint also predi cted t Nitrie Monastic desert in Egypt. o the monks of Nitria, in 35 3, tha Ariens Heresy opposed by Columbanus in Italy among the Lombards. t the pride of the Arians would not be long in being confounded. This prediction is contained in a letter that we still possess. We have a second letter from the holy abbot, which is an exhortation to celebrate Easter devoutly. Gennadius speaks of three other letters that Theodore wrote for the instruction of his monks; but they have not reached us.

One reads the following account in Saint Nilus and in other ancient authors: One day when Theodore was giving an instruction to his monks, during the time of work, two vipers attached themselves to his feet. He made no movement, for fear of distracting his audience who were listening to him attentively. The discourse finished, he permitted the vipers to be killed, which had not bitten him.

On a Sunday in the year 367, he was warned that one of his monks was near death; he left the divine office to go and assist him in his final moments. He told those present that the death of this monk would soon be followed by another, which was little expected. The monks kept watch during the night by the body of their brother, and he was buried on Easter day while singing psalms. After the octave of the feast, Theodore gave a very touching speech to his monks who were gathered for the occasion of Easter, and sent them back to their monasteries. Shortly after, he fell ill; then, having commended the community to Horsiesios, he prepared himself for the passage from time to eternity with a redoubling of fervor. He died on April 27, 367, in the fifty-third year of his age. His body was carried to the top of the mountain and buried in the monks' cemetery, to the chanting of psalms; but shortly after, it was placed with that of Saint Pachomius. Saint Athanasius wrote to the monks of Tabennisi to console them for the loss they had just suffered and to place before their eyes the glory enjoyed by their blessed Father. The Greeks honor Saint Theodore on May 16, and the Latins on December 28.

Godeacazé and Dem Celilier.