Giotto (1266–1337),
Scenes from the Life of Mary Magdalene: The Hermit Zosimus Giving a Cloak to
Magdalene, 1320, fresco, Lower Basilica of San Francesco
Zósimo
de Palestina se encuentra con María de Egipto desnuda en el desierto y le
lanza su manto para taparla. Fresco en la basílica de Asís.
Saint Zozime
(5ème s.)
Confesseur. Il appartenait à un monastère de l'actuelle Jordanie. Et c'est d'après ses dires que l'on a tenté de reconstituer la biographie légendaire de sainte Marie l'Egyptienne.
SOURCE : http://nominis.cef.fr/contenus/saint/6465/Saint-Zozime.html
Profile
Fifth
century hermit on
the banks of the Jordan River. Discovered Saint Mary
of Egypt, brought her the Eucharist one Easter,
found her dead the next,
and reportedly wrote a
biography of her.
monk bringing
the Eucharist to Saint Mary of
Egypt
talking to Saint Mary
of Egypt across the River Jordan
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MLA
Citation
“Saint Zosimus of
Palestine“. CatholicSaints.Info. 9 January 2023. Web. 26 March 2026.
<https://catholicsaints.info/saint-zosimus-of-palestine/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/saint-zosimus-of-palestine/
Book of Saints –
Zosimus – 4 April
Article
(Saint)
(April
4) (5th
century) A Palestinian Anchorite who
lived upon the banks of the Jordan and is said to have attained the age of one
hundred vears. To him we owe the Relation of the marvellous life of Saint Mary
of Egypt, the famous penitent.
MLA
Citation
Monks of Ramsgate.
“Zosimus”. Book of Saints, 1921. CatholicSaints.Info.
2 April 2017. Web. 26 March 2026. <https://catholicsaints.info/book-of-saints-zosimus-4-april/>
SOURCE : https://catholicsaints.info/book-of-saints-zosimus-4-april/
St. Zosimas of Palestine
Feastday: April 4
Birth: 460
Death: 560
Zosimus (d. fifth
century) + Hermit. From Palestine, he settled on the Jordan River
as a hermit. According to tradition, he was a close friend and the biographer
of St.
Mary of Egypt, the farned anchoress. Feast day:April 4.
SOURCE : https://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=2090
Zosimus of Palestine,
Hermit (RM)
5th century. Zosimus is
said to have been an old Palestinian anchorite who lived on the banks of the
Jordan River. He is supposed to have discovered Saint Mary the Egyptian,
brought her the Eucharist one Easter, and found her dead the next. The story
goes on to say that he became her biographer, though there is no evidence of it
(Benedictines, Delaney, Encyclopedia).
Zosimus's portrayal in
art is that of a monk bringing the Eucharist to Saint Mary of Egypt or talking
to her across the River Jordan (Roeder).
SOURCE : http://www.saintpatrickdc.org/ss/0404.shtml
April 9
St. Mary of Egypt, and St. Zozimus, a Holy Priest
Fifth
Age.
IN the
reign of Theodosius the Younger, there lived in Palestine a holy monk and
priest named Zosimus, famed for the reputation of his sanctity, and resorted to
as an oracle for the direction of souls in the most perfect rules of a
religious life. He had served God from his youth with great fervour, in the
same house, for the space of three-and-fifty years, when he was tempted to
think that he had attained to a state of perfection, and that no one could
teach him anything more in regard to a monastic life. God, to discover the
delusion and danger of this suggestion of the proud spirit, and to convince him
that we may always advance in perfection, directed him by revelation to quit
his monastery for one near the Jordan, where he might learn lessons of virtue
he yet was unacquainted with. Being admitted amongst them, it was not long
before he was undeceived, and convinced, from what he saw practised there, how
much he had been mistaken in the judgment he had formed of himself and of his
advancement in virtue. The members of this community had no more communication
with the rest of mankind than if they had belonged to another world. The whole
employment of their lives was manual labour, which they accompanied with
prayer, the singing of psalms, (in which heavenly exercise they spent the whole
night, relieving each other by turns), and their chief subsistence was on bread
and water. It was their yearly custom, after having assisted at the divine
mysteries, and received the blessed eucharist on the first Sunday in Lent, to
cross the river and disperse themselves over the vast deserts which lie towards
Arabia, to pass in perfect solitude the interval between that and Palm Sunday;
against which time they all returned again to the monastery to join in
celebrating the passion and resurrection of our Lord. Some subsisted during
this time on a small parcel of provisions they took with them, while others lived
on the herbs which grew wild; but when they came back they never communicated
to each other what they did during that time.
About
the year 430, the holy man Zosimus passed over the Jordan with the rest at the
usual time, endeavouring to penetrate as far as he could into the wilderness,
in hopes of meeting with some hermit of still greater perfection than he had
hitherto seen or conversed with, praying with great fervour as he travelled.
Having advanced thus for twenty days, as he one day stopped at noon to rest
himself and recite a certain number of psalms according to custom, he saw as it
were the figure of a human body. He was at first seized with fright and
astonishment; and imagining it might be an illusion of the enemy, he armed
himself with the sign of the cross and continued in prayer. Having finished his
devotions he plainly perceived, on turning his eyes that way, that it was
somebody that appeared naked, extremely sun-burned, and with short white hair,
who walked very quick, and fled from him. Zosimus, judging it was some holy
anchoret, ran that way with all his speed to overtake him. He drew nearer by
degrees, and when he was within hearing, he cried out to the person to stop and
bless him; who answered: “Abbot Zosimus, I am a woman; throw me your mantle to
cover me, that you may come near me.” He, surprised to hear her call him by his
name, which he was convinced she could have known only by revelation, readily
complied with her request. Having covered herself with his garment she approached
him, and they entered into conversation after mutual prayer: and on the holy
man conjuring her by Jesus Christ to tell him who she was, and how long, and in
what manner she had lived in that desert, she said: “I ought to die with
confusion and shame in telling you what I am; so horrible is the very mention
of it, that you will fly from me as from a serpent: your ears will not be able
to bear the recital of the crimes of which I have been guilty. I will, however,
relate to you my ignominy, begging of you to pray for me, that God may show me
mercy in the day of his terrible judgment.
My
country is Egypt. When my father and mother were still living, at twelve years
of age I went without their consent to Alexandria. I cannot think, without
trembling, on the first steps by which I fell into sin, nor my disorders which
followed.” She then described how she lived a public prostitute seventeen
years, not for interest, but to gratify an unbridled lust: she added: “I
continued my wicked course till the twenty-ninth year of my age, when,
perceiving several persons making towards the sea, I inquired whither they were
going, and was told they were about to embark for the holy land, to celebrate
at Jerusalem the feast of the Exaltation of the glorious Cross of our Saviour.
I embarked with them, looking only for fresh opportunities to continue my debauches,
which I repeated both during the voyage and after my arrival at Jerusalem. On
the day appointed for the festival, all going to church, I mixed with the crowd
to get into the church where the holy cross was shown and exposed to the
veneration of the faithful; but found myself withheld from entering the place
by some secret but invisible force. This happening to me three or four times, I
retired into a corner of the court and began to consider with myself what this
might proceed from; and seriously reflecting that my criminal life might be the
cause, I melted into tears. Beating, therefore, my sinful breast, with sighs
and groans, I perceived above me a picture of the mother of God. Fixing my eyes
upon it, I addressed myself to that holy virgin, begging of her by her
incomparable purity, to succour me, defiled with such a load of abominations,
and to render my repentance more acceptable to God. I besought her that I might
be suffered to enter the church doors to behold the sacred wood of my redemption;
promising from that moment to consecrate myself to God by a life of penance,
taking her for my surety in this change of my heart. After this ardent prayer I
perceived in my soul a secret consolation under my grief; and attempting again
to enter the church, I went up with ease into the very middle of it, and had
the comfort to venerate the precious wood of the glorious cross which brings
life to man. Considering, therefore, the incomprehensible mercy of God, and his
readiness to receive sinners to repentance, I cast myself on the ground, and
after having kissed the pavement with tears, I arose and went to the picture of
the mother of God, whom I had made the witness and surety of my engagements and
resolutions. Falling there on my knees before her image, I addressed my prayers
to her, begging her intercession, and that she would be my guide. After my
prayer, I seemed to hear this voice: ‘If thou goest beyond the Jordan, thou
shalt there find rest and comfort.’ Then weeping and looking on the image, I
begged of the holy queen of the world that she would never abandon me. After
these words I went out in haste, bought three loaves, and asking the baker
which was the gate of the city which led to the Jordan, I immediately took that
road, and walked all the rest of the day, and at night arrived at the church of
St. John Baptist on the banks of the river. There I paid my devotions to God,
and received the precious body of our Saviour Jesus Christ. Having eaten the
half of one of my loaves, I slept all night on the ground. Next morning,
recommending myself to the holy Virgin, I passed the Jordan; and from that time
I have carefully shunned the meeting of any human creature.”
Zosimus
asked her how long she had lived in that desert. “It is,” said she, “as near as
I can judge, forty-seven years.” “And what have you subsisted upon all that
time?” replied Zosimus. “The loaves I took with me,” answered she, “lasted me
some time: since that I have had no other food but what this wild and
uncultivated solitude afforded me. My clothes being worn out, I suffered
severely from the heat and the cold, with which I was often so afflicted that I
was not able to stand.” “And have you passed so many years,” said the holy man,
“without suffering much in your soul?” She answered: “Your question makes me
tremble, by the very remembrance of my past dangers and conflicts, through the
perverseness of my heart. Seventeen years I passed in most violent temptations,
and almost perpetual conflicts with my inordinate desires. I was tempted to
regret the flesh and fish of Egypt, and the wines which I drank in the world to
excess; whereas here I often could not come at a drop of water to quench my
thirst. Other desires made assaults on my mind, but, weeping and striking my
breast on those occasions, I called to mind the vows I had made under the
protection of the Blessed Virgin, and begged her to obtain my deliverance from
the affliction and danger of such thoughts. After long weeping and bruising my
body with blows I found myself suddenly enlightened, and my mind restored to a
perfect calm. Often the tyranny of my old passions seemed ready to drag me out
of the desert: at those times I threw myself on the ground and watered it with
my tears, raising my heart continually to the Blessed Virgin till she procured
me comfort: and she has never failed to show herself my faithful protectress.”
Zosimus taking notice that in her discourse with him she had from time to time
made use of scripture phrases, asked her if she had ever applied herself to the
study of the sacred books. Her answer was that she could not even read, neither
had she conversed with or seen any human creature since she came into the
desert till that day, that could teach her to read the holy scripture or to
read it to her; but “it is God,” said she, “that teacheth man knowledge. 1 Thus
have I given you a full account of myself: keep what I have told you as an
inviolable secret during my life, and allow me, the most miserable of sinners,
a share in your prayers.” She concluded with desiring him not to pass over the
Jordan next Lent, according to the custom of his monastery, but to bring with him,
on Maunday-Thursday, the body and blood of our Lord, and wait for her on the
banks of the river on the side which is inhabited. Having spoken thus, and once
more entreated him to pray for her, she left him. Zosimus hereupon fell on his
knees, thanked God for what he had seen and heard, kissed the ground whereon
she had stood, and returned by the usual time to his monastery.
The
year following, on the first Sunday in Lent, he was detained at home on account
of sickness, as indeed she had foretold him. On Maunday-Thursday, taking the
sacred body and blood of our Lord in a small chalice, and also a little basket
of figs, dates, and lentils, he went to the banks of the Jordan.—At night she
appeared on the other side, and making the sign of the cross over the river,
she went forward, walking upon the surface of the water, as if it had been dry
land, till she reached the opposite shore. Being now together, she craved his
blessing, and desired him to recite the Creed and the Lord’s prayer. After
which she received from his hands the holy sacrament.—Then lifting up her hands
to heaven, she said aloud with tears: “Now thou dost dismiss thy servant,
O Lord, according to thy word in peace; because my eyes have seen my Saviour.” She
begged Zosimus to pardon the trouble she had given him, and desired him to
return the following Lent, to the place where he first saw her. He begged of
her on his side to accept the sustenance he had brought her. But she took only
a few of the lentils; and conjuring him never to forget her miseries, left him,
and then went over the river as she came. Zosimus returned home, and at the
very time fixed by the saint, set out in quest of her, with the view of being
still further edified by her holy conversation, and of learning also her name,
which he had forgotten to ask. But on his arrival at the place where he had
first seen her, he found her corpse stretched out on the ground, with an
inscription declaring her name, Mary, and the time of her death. Zosimus being
miraculously assisted by a lion, dug a grave, and buried her. And having
recommended both himself and the whole church to the saint’s intercession, he
returned to his monastery, where he recounted all that he had seen and heard of
this holy, penitent, and continued there to serve God till his happy death,
which happened in the hundredth year of his age: and it is from a relation of
the monks of that community, that an author of the same century wrote her life
as above related: which history is mentioned soon after by many authors, both
of the Eastern and Western church. Papebroke places her conversion in 383, and
her death in 421.
In
the example of this holy woman, we admire the wonderful goodness and mercy of
God, who raised her from the sink of the most criminal habits and the most
abandoned state to the most sublime and heroic virtue. While we consider her
severe penance, let us blush at the manner in which we pretend to do penance.
Let her example rouse our sloth. The kingdom of heaven is only for those who do
violence to themselves. Let us tremble with her at the remembrance of our
baseness and sins, as often as we enter the sanctuary of the Lord, or venerate
his holy cross, the instrument of our redemption. We insult him, when we
pretend exteriorly to pay him our homages, and at the same time dishonour him
by our sloth and sinful life. God, by the miraculous visible repulse of this
sinner, shows us what he does invisibly with regard to all obstinate and wilful
sinners.—We join the crowd of adorers at the foot of his altar; but he abhors
our treacherous kisses like those of Judas. We honour his cross with our lips;
but he sees our heart, and condemns its irregularities and its opposition to
his holy spirit of perfect humility, meekness, self-denial, and charity. Shall
we then so much fear to provoke his indignation by our unworthiness, as to keep
at a distance from his holy places or mysteries? By no means. This would be
irrecoverably to perish by cutting off the most essential means of salvation.
Invited by the infinite goodness and mercy of God, and pressed by our own
necessities and dangers, the more grievous these are, with so much greater
earnestness and assiduity must we sue for pardon and grace, provided we do this
in the most profound sentiments of compunction, fear, and confidence. It will
be expedient often to pray with the publican at a distance from the altar, in a
feeling sentiment that we ought to be treated as persons excommunicate before
God and men. Sometimes we may in public prayers pronounce the words with a lower
voice, as unworthy to unite our praises with others, as base sinners, whose
homages ought rather to be offensive to God, who hates the sight of a heart
filled with iniquity and self-love. We must at least never present ourselves
before God without purifying our hearts by compunction, and, trembling, to say
to ourselves, that God ought to drive us out of his holy presence with a voice
of thunder: Let the wicked man be taken away, and let him not see the
glory of God.—But in these dispositions of fear and humility, we must not fail
assiduously to pour forth our supplications, and sound the divine praises with
our whole hearts.
Note
1. Psalm xxxix.
10. [back]
Rev. Alban Butler
(1711–73). Volume IV: April. The Lives of the Saints. 1866.
Sophronios of Jerusalem,
Life of St Mary of Egypt
Written by Sophronios of
Jerusalem
"It is good to hide
the secret of a king, but it is glorious to reveal and preach the works of
God" (Tobit 12.7) So said the Archangel Raphael to Tobit when he
performed the wonderful healing of his blindness. Actually, not to keep the
secret of a king is perilous and a terrible risk, but to be silent about the
works of God is a great loss for the soul. And I (says St. Sophronius), in
writing the life of St. Mary of Egypt, am afraid to hide the works of God by
silence. Remembering the misfortune threatened to the servant who hid his
God-given talent in the earth (Matt 25.18-25), I am bound to pass on the holy account that
has reached me. And let no one think (continues St. Sophronius) that I have had
the audacity to write untruth or doubt this great marvel --may I never lie
about holy things! If there do happen to be people who, after reading this
record, do not believe it, may the Lord have mercy on them because, reflecting
on the weakness of human nature, they consider impossible these wonderful
things accomplished by holy people. But now we must begin to tell this most
amazing story, which has taken place in our generation.
There was a certain elder
in one of the monasteries of Palestine, a priest of the holy life and speech,
who from childhood had been brought up in monastic ways and customs. This
elder's name was Zosimas. He had been through the whole course of the ascetic
life and in everything he adhered to the rule once given to him by his tutors
as regard spiritual labours. he had also added a good deal himself whilst
labouring to subject his flesh to the will of the spirit. And he had not failed
in his aim. He was so renowned for his spiritual life that many came to him
from neighboring monasteries and some even from afar. While doing all this, he
never ceased to study the Divine Scriptures. Whether resting, standing, working
or eating food (if the scraps he nibbled could be called food), he incessantly
and constantly had a single aim: always to sing of God, and to practice the
teaching of the Divine Scriptures. Zosimas used to relate how, as soon as he
was taken from his mother's breast, he was handed over to the monastery where
he went through his training as an ascetic till he reached the age of 53. After
that, he began to be tormented with the thought that he was perfect in
everything and needed no instruction from anyone, saying to himself
mentally, "Is there a monk on earth who can be of use to me and show
me a kind of asceticism that I have not accomplished? Is there a man to be
found in the desert who has surpassed me?"
Thus thought the elder,
when suddenly an angel appeared to him and said:
"Zosimas, valiantly
have you struggled, as far as this is within the power of man, valiantly have
you gone through the ascetic course. But there is no man who has attained
perfection. Before you lie unknown struggles greater than those you have already
accomplished. That you may know how many other ways lead to salvation, leave
your native land like the renowned patriarch Abraham and go to the monastery by
the River Jordan."
Zosimas did as he was
told. he left the monastery in which he had lived from childhood, and went to
the River Jordan. At last he reached the community to which God had sent him.
Having knocked at the door of the monastery, he told the monk who was the
porter who he was; and the porter told the abbot. On being admitted to the
abbot's presence, Zosimas made the usual monastic prostration and prayer.
Seeing that he was a monk the abbot asked:
"Where do you come
from, brother, and why have you come to us poor old men?"
Zosimas replied:
"There is no need to
speak about where I have come from, but I have come, father, seeking spiritual
profit, for I have heard great things about your skill in leading souls to
God."
"Brother," the
abbot said to him, "Only God can heal the infirmity of the soul. May
He teach you and us His divine ways and guide us. But as it is the love of
Christ that has moved you to visit us poor old men, then stay with us, if that
is why you have come. May the Good Shepherd Who laid down His life for our
salvation fill us all with the grace of the Holy Spirit."
After this, Zosimas bowed
to the abbot, asked for his prayers and blessing, and stayed in the monastery.
There he saw elders proficient both in action and the contemplation of God,
aflame in spirit, working for the Lord. They sang incessantly, they stood in
prayer all night, work was ever in their hands and psalms on their lips. Never
an idle word was heard among them, they know nothing about acquiring temporal
goods or the cares of life. But they had one desire -- to become in body like
corpses. Their constant food was the Word of God, and they sustained their
bodies on bread and water, as much as their love for God allowed them Seeing
this, Zosimas was greatly edified and prepared for the struggle that lay before
him.
Many days passed and the
time drew near when all Christians fast and prepare themselves to worship the
Divine Passion and Ressurection of Christ. The monastery gates were kept always
locked and only opened when one of the community was sent out on some errand.
It was a desert place, not only unvisited by people of the world but even
unknown to them.
There was a rule in that
monastery which was the reason why God brought Zosimas there. At the beginning
of the Great Fast [on Forgiveness Sunday] the priest celebrated the holy
Liturgy and all partook of the holy body and blood of Christ. After the Liturgy
they went to the refectory and would eat a little lenten food.
Then all gathered in
church, and after praying earnestly with prostrations, the elders kissed one
another and asked forgiveness. And each made a prostration to the abbot and
asked his blessing and prayers for the struggle that lay before them. After
this, the gates of the monastery were thrown open, and singing, "The Lord
is my light and my Savior; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defender of my
life; of whom shall I be afraid?" (Psalm 26.1) and the rest of that psalm, all went out into
the desert and crossed the River Jordan. Only one or two brothers were left in
the monastery, not to guard the property (for there was nothing to rob), but so
as not to leave the church without Divine Service. Each took with him as much
as he could or wanted in the way of food, according to the needs of his body:
one would take a little bread, another some figs, another dates or wheat soaked
in water. And some took nothing but their own body covered with rags and fed
when nature forced them to it on the plants that grew in the desert.
After crossing the
Jordan, they all scattered far and wide in different directions. And this was
the rule of life they had, and which they all observed -- neither to talk to
one another, nor to know how each one lived and fasted. If they did happen to
catch sight of one another, they went to another part of the country, living
alone and always singing to God, and at a definite time eating a very small
quantity of food. In this way they spent the whole of the fast and used to
return to the monastery a week before the Resurrection of Christ, on Palm
Sunday. Each one returned having his own conscience as the witness of his
labour, and no one asked another how he had spent his time in the desert. Such
were rules of the monastery. Everyone of them whilst in the desert struggled
with himself before the Judge of the struggle -- God -- not seeking to please
men and fast before the eyes of all. For what is done for the sake of men, to
win praise and honour, is not only useless to the one who does it but sometimes
the cause of great punishment.
Zosimas did the same as
all. And he went far, far into the desert with a secret hope of finding some
father who might be living there and who might be able to satisfy his thirst
and longing. And he wandered on tireless, as if hurrying on to some definite
place. He had already waled for 20 days and when the 6th hour came he stopped
and, turning to the East, he began to sing the sixth Hour and recite the
customary prayers. He used to break his journey thus at fixed hours of the day
to rest a little, to chant psalms standing and to pray on bent knees.
And as he sang thus
without turning his eyes from the heavens, he suddenly saw to the right of the
hillock on which he stood the semblance of a human body. At first he was
confused thinking he beheld a vision of the devil, and even started with fear.
But, having guarded himself with he sign of the Cross and banished all fear, he
turned his gaze in that direction and in truth saw some form gliding
southwards. It was naked, the skin dark as if burned up by the heat of the sun;
the hair on its head was white as a fleece, and not long, falling just below
its neck. Zosimas was so overjoyed at beholding a human form that he ran after
it in pursuit, but the form fled from him. He followed. At length, when he was
near enough to be heard, he shouted:
"Why do you run from
an old man and a sinner? Slave of the True God, wait for me, whoever you are,
in God's name I tell you, for the love of God for Whose sake you are living in
the desert."
"Forgive me for
God's sake, but I cannot turn towards you and show you my face, Abba Zosimas.
For I am a woman and naked as you see with the uncovered shame of my body. But
if you would like to fulfil one wish of a sinful woman, throw me your cloak so
that I can cover my body and can turn to you and ask for your blessing."
Here terror seized
Zosimas, for he heard that she called him by name. But he realized that she
could not have done so without knowing anything of him if she had not had the
power of spiritual insight.
He at once did as he was
asked. He took off his old, tattered cloak and threw it to her, turning away as
he did so. She picked it up and was able to cover at least a part of her body.
The she turned to Zosimas and said:
"Why did you wish,
Abba Zosimas, to see a sinful woman? What do you wish to hear or learn from me,
you who have not shrunk from such great struggles?"
Zosimas threw himself on
the ground and asked for her blessing. She likewise bowed down before him. And
thus they lay on the ground prostrate asking for each other's blessing. And one
word alone could be heard from both: "Bless me!" After a
long while the woman said to Zosimas:
"Abba Zosimas, it is
you who must give blessing and pray. You are dignified by the order of
priesthood and for many years you have been standing before the holy altar and
offering the sacrifice of the Divine Mysteries."
This flung Zosimas into
even greater terror. At length with tears he said to her:
"O mother, filled
with the spirit, by your mode of life it is evident that you live with God and
have died to the world. The Grace granted to you is apparent -- for you have called
me by name and recognized that I am a priest, though you have never seen me
before. Grace is recognized not by one's orders, but by gifts of the Spirit, so
give me your blessing for God's sake, for I need your prayers."
Then, giving way before
the wish of the elder, the woman said:
"Blessed is God Who
cares for the salvation of men and their souls."
Zosimas answered:
"Amen."
And both rose to their
feet. Then the woman asked the elder:
"Why have you come,
man of God, to me who am so sinful? Why do you wish to see a woman naked and
devoid of every virtue? Though I know one thing -- the Grace of the Holy Spirit
has brought you to render me a service in time. Tell me, father, how are the
Christian peoples living? And the kings? How is the Church guided?"
Zosimas said:
"By your prayers,
mother, Christ has granted lasting peace to all. But fulfill the unworthy
petition of an old man and pray for the whole world and for me who am a sinner,
so that my wanderings in the desert may not be fruitless."
She answered:
"You who are a
priest, Abba Zosimas, it is you who must pray for me and for all -- for this is
your calling. But as we must all be obedient, I will gladly do what you
ask."
And with these words she
turned to the East, and raising her eyes to heaven and stretching out her
hands, she began to pray in a whisper. One could not hear separate words, so
that Zosimas could not understand anything that she said in her prayers.
Meanwhile he stood, according to his own word, all in a flutter, looking at the
ground without saying a word. And he swore, calling God to witness, that when
at length he thought that her prayer was very long, he took his eyes off the
ground and saw that she was raised bout a forearm's distance from the ground
and stood praying in the air. When he saw this, even greater terror seized him
and he fell on the ground weeping and repeating may times, "Lord have
mercy."
And whilst lying
prostrate on the ground he was tempted by a thought: Is it not a spirit, and
perhaps her prayer is hypocrisy. But at the very same moment the woman turned
round, raised the elder from the ground and said:
"Why do thoughts
confuse you, Abba, and tempt you about me, as if I were a spirit and a
dissember in prayer? Know, holy father, that I am only a sinful woman, though I
am guarded by Holy baptism. And I am no spirit but earth and ashes, and flesh
alone."
And with these words she
guarded herself with the sign of the Cross on her forehead, eyes, mouth and
breast, saying:
"May God defend us
from the evil one and from his designs, for fierce is his struggle against
us."
Hearing and seeing this,
the elder fell to the ground and, embracing her feet, he said with tears:
"I beg you, by the
Name of Christ our God, Who was born of a Virgin, for Whose sake you have
stripped yourself, for Whose sake you have exhausted your flesh, do not hide
from your slave, who you are and whence and how you came into this desert. Tell
me everything so that the marvellous works of God may become known. A hidden
wisdom and a secret treasure -- what profit is there in them? Tell me all, I
implore you. for not out of vanity or for self-display will you speak but to
reveal the truth to me, an unworthy sinner. I believe in God, for whom you live
and whom you serve. I believe that He led me into this desert so as to show me
His ways in regard to you. It is not in our power to resist the plans of God.
If it were not the will of God that you and your life would be known, He would
not have allowed be to see you and would not have strengthened me to undertake
this journey, one like me who never before dared to leave his cell."
Much more said Abba
Zosimas. But the woman raised him and said:
"I am ashamed, Abba,
to speak to you of my disgraceful life, forgive me for God's sake! But as you
have already seen my naked body I shall likewise lay bare before you my work,
so that you may know with what shame and obscenity my soul is filled. I was not
running away out of vanity, as you thought, for what have I to be proud of -- I
who was the chosen vessel of the devil? But when I start my story you will run
from me, as from a snake, for your ears will not be able to bear the vileness
of my actions. But I shall tell you all without hiding anything, only imploring
you first of all to pray incessantly for me, so that I may find mercy on the
day of Judgment."
The elder wept and the
woman began her story.
"My native land,
holy father, was Egypt. Already during the lifetime of my parents, when I was
twelve years old, I renounced their love and went to Alexandria. I am ashamed
to recall how there I at first ruined my maidenhood and then unrestrainedly and
insatiably gave myself up to sensuality. It is more becoming to speak of this
briefly, so that you may just know my passion and my lechery. for about
seventeen years, forgive me, I lived like that. I was like a fire of public
debauch. And it was not for the sake of gain -- here I speak the pure truth.
Often when they wished to pay me, I refused the money. I acted in this way so
as to make as many men as possible to try to obtain me, doing free of charge
what gave me pleasure. do not think that I was rich and that was the reason why
I did not take money. I lived by begging, often by spinning flax, but I had an
insatiable desire and an irrepressible passion for lying in filth. This was
life to me. Every kind of abuse of nature I regarded as life.
That is how I lived. Then
one summer I saw a large crowd of Lybians and Egyptians running towards the
sea. I asked one of them, `Where are these men hurrying to?' He
replied, `They are all going to Jerusalem for the Exaltation of the
Precious and Lifegiving Cross, which takes place in a few days.' I said to
him, `Will they take me with them if I wish to go?' `No one will hinder
you if you have money to pay for the journey and for food.' And I said to
him, `To tell you truth, I have no money, neither have I food. But I shall
go with them and shall go aboard. And they shall feed me, whether they want to
or not. I have a body -- they shall take it instead of pay for the
journey.' I was suddenly filled with a desire to go, Abba, to have more
lovers who could satisfy my passion. I told you, Abba Zosimas, not to force me
to tell you of my disgrace. God is my witness, I am afraid of defiling you and
the very air with my words."
Zosimas, weeping, replied
to her:
"Speak on for God's
sake, mother, speak and do not break the thread of such an edifying tale."
And, resuming her story,
she went on:
"That youth, on
hearing my shameless words, laughed and went off. While I, throwing away my
spinning wheel, ran off towards the sea in the direction which everyone seemed
to be taking. and, seeing some young men standing on the shore, about ten or more
of them, full of vigour and alert in their movements, I decided that they would
do for my purpose (it seemed that some of them were waiting for more travellers
whilst others had gone ashore). Shamelessly, as usual, I mixed with the crowd,
saying, `Take me with you to the place you are going to; you will not find
me superfluous.' I also added a few more words calling forth general
laughter. Seeing my readiness to be shameless, they readily took me aboard the
boat. Those who were expected came also, and we set sail at once.
How shall I relate to you
what happened after this? Whose tongue can tell, whose ears can take in all
that took place on the boat during that voyage! And to all this I frequently
forced those miserable youths even against their own will. There is no
mentionable or unmentionable depravity of which I was not their teacher. I am
amazed, Abba, how the sea stood our licentiousness, how the earth did not open
its jaws, and how it was that hell did not swallow me alive, when I had
entangled in my net so many souls. But I think God was seeking my repentance.
For He does not desire the death of a sinner but magnanimously awaits his
return to Him. At last we arrived in Jerusalem. I spent the days before the
festival in the town, living the same kind of life, perhaps even worse. I was
not content with the youths I had seduced at sea and who had helped be to get
to Jerusalem; many others -- citizens of the town and foreigners -- I also
seduced.
The holy day of the
Exaltation of the Cross dawned while I was still flying about -- hunting for
youths. At daybreak I saw that everyone was hurrying to the church, so I ran
with the rest. When the hour for the holy elevation approached, I was trying to
make my way in with the crowd which was struggling to get through the church
doors. I had at last squeezed through with great difficulty almost to the
entrance of the temple, from which the lifegiving Tree of the Cross was being
shown to the people. But when I trod on the doorstep which everyone passed, I
was stopped by some force which prevented my entering. Meanwhile I was brushed
aside by the crowd and found myself standing alone in the porch. Thinking that
this had happened because of my woman's weakness, I again began to work my way
into the crowd, trying to elbow myself forward. But in vain I struggled. Again
my feet trod on the doorstep over which others were entering the church without
encountering any obstacle. I alone seemed to remain unaccepted by the church.
It was as if there was a detachment of soldiers standing there to oppose my
entrance. Once again I was excluded by the same mighty force and again I stood
in the porch.
Having repeated my
attempt three or four times, at last I felt exhausted and had no more strength
to push and to be pushed, so I went aside and stood in a corner of the porch.
And only then with great difficulty it began to dawn on me, and I began to
understand the reason why I was prevented from being admitted to see the
life-giving Cross. The word of salvation gently touched the eyes of my heart
and revealed to me that it was my unclean life which barred the entrance to me.
I began to weep and lament and beat my breast, and to sigh from the depths of
my heart. And so I stood weeping when I saw above me the ikon of the most holy
Mother of God. And turning to her my bodily and spiritual eyes I said:
`O Lady, Mother of God,
who gave birth in the flesh to God the Word, I know, O how well I know, that it
is no honour or praise to thee when one so impure and depraved as I look up to
thy ikon, O ever-virgin, who didst keep thy body and soul in purity. Rightly do
I inspire hatred and disgust before thy virginal purity. But I have heard that
God Who was born of thee became man on purpose to call sinners to repentance.
Then help me, for I have no other help. Order the entrance of the church to be
opened to me. Allow me to see the venerable Tree on which He Who was born of
thee suffered in the flesh and on which He shed His holy Blood for the
redemption of sinners and for me, unworthy as I am. Be my faithful witness
before thy Son that I will never again defile my body by the impurity of
fornication, but as soon as I have seen the Tree of the Cross I will renounce
the world and its temptations and will go wherever thou wilt lead me.'
Thus I spoke and as if acquiring
some hope in firm faith and feeling some confidence in the mercy of the Mother
of God, I left the place where I stood praying. And I went again and mingled
with the crowd that was pushing its way into the temple. And no one seemed to
thwart me, no one hindered my entering the church. I was possessed with
trembling, and was almost in delirium. Having got as far as the doors which I
could not reach before -- as if the same force which had hindered me cleared
the way for me -- I now entered without difficulty and found myself within the
holy place. And so it was I saw the lifegiving Cross. I saw too the Mysteries
of God and how the Lord accepts repentance. Throwing myself on the ground, I
worshipped that holy earth and kissed it with trembling. Then I came out of the
church and went to her who had promised to be my security, to the place where I
had sealed my vow. And bending my knees before the Virgin Mother of God, I
addressed to her such words as these:
`O loving Lady, thou hast
shown me thy great love for all men. glory to God Who receives the repentance
of sinners through thee. What more can I recollect or say, I who am so sinful?
It is time for me, O Lady to fulfil my vow, according to thy witness. Now lead
me by the hand along the path of repentance!' And at these words I heard a
voice from on high:
`If you cross the Jordan
you will find glorious rest.'
Hearing this voice and
having faith that it was for me, I cried to the Mother of God:
`O Lady, Lady, do not
forsake me!'
With these words I left the
porch of the church and set off on my journey. As I was leaving the church a
stranger glanced at me and gave me three coins, saying:
`Sister, take these.'
And, taking the money, I
bought three loaves and took them with me on my journey, as a blessed gift. I
asked the person who sold the bread: `Which is the way to the Jordan?' I was
directed to the city gate which led that way. Running on I passed the gates and
still weeping went on my journey. Those I met I asked the way, and after
walking for the rest of that day (I think it was nine o'clock when I saw the
Cross) I at length reached at sunset the Church of St. John the Baptist which
stood on the banks of the Jordan. After praying in the temple, I went down to
the Jordan and rinsed my face and hands in its holy waters. I partook of the
holy and life-giving Mysteries in the Church of the Forerunner and ate half of
one of my loaves. Then, after drinking some water from Jordan, I lay down and
passed the night on the ground. In the morning I found a small boat and crossed
to the opposite bank. I again prayed to Our Lady to lead me whither she wished.
Then I found myself in this desert and since then up to this very day I am
estranged from all, keeping away from people and running away from everyone.
And I live here clinging to my God Who saves all who turn to Him from
faintheartedness and storms."
Zosimas asked her:
"How many years have
gone by since you began to live in this desert?"
She replied:
"Forty-seven years
have already gone by, I think, since I left the holy city."
Zosimas asked:
"But what food do
you find?"
The woman said:
"I had two and a
half loaves when I crossed the Jordan. Soon they dried up and became hard as
rock. Eating a little I gradually finished them after a few years."
Zosimas asked.
"Can it be that
without getting ill you have lived so many years thus, without suffering in any
way from such a complete change?"
The woman answered:
"You remind me,
Zosimas, of what I dare not speak of. For when I recall all the dangers which I
overcame, and all the violent thoughts which confused me, I am again afraid
that they will take possession of me."
Zosimas said:
"Do not hide from me
anything; speak to me without concealing anything."
And she said to him:
"Believe me, Abba,
seventeen years I passed in this desert fighting wild beasts -- mad desires and
passions. When I was about to partake of food, I used to begin to regret the
meat and fish of which I had so much in Egypt. I regretted also not having wine
which I loved so much, for I drank a lot of wine when I lived in the world,
while here I had not even water. I used to burn and succumb with thirst. The
mad desire for profligate songs also entered me and confused me greatly, edging
me on to sing satanic songs which I had learned once. But when such desires
entered me I struck myself on the breast and reminded myself of the vow which I
had made, when going into the desert. In my thoughts I returned to the ikon of
the Mother of God which had received me and to her I cried in prayer. I
implored her to chase away the thoughts to which my miserable soul was
succumbing. And after weeping for long and beating my breast I used to see
light at last which seemed to shine on me from everywhere. And after the
violent storm, lasting calm descended.
And how can I tell you
about the thoughts which urged me on to fornication, how can I express them to
you, Abba? A fire was kindled in my miserable heart which seemed to burn me up
completely and to awake in me a thirst for embraces. As soon as this craving
came to me, I flung myself on the earth and watered it with my tears, as if I
saw before me my witness, who had appeared to me in my disobedience, and who
seemed to threaten punishment for the crime. And I did not rise from the ground
(sometimes I lay thus prostrate for a day and a night) until a calm and sweet
light descended and enlightened me and chased away the thoughts that possessed
me. But always I turned to the eyes of my mind to my Protectress, asking her to
extend help to one who was sinking fast in the waves of the desert. And I
always had her as my Helper and the Accepter of my repentance. And thus I lived
for seventeen years amid constant dangers. And since then even till now the
Mother of God helps me in everything and leads me as it were by the hand."
Zosimas asked:
"Can it be that you
did not need food and clothing?"
She answered:
"After finishing the
loaves I had, of which I spoke, for seventeen years I have fed on herbs and all
that can be found in the desert. The clothes I had when I crossed the Jordan
became torn and worn out. I suffered greatly from the cold and greatly from the
extreme heat. At times the sun burned me up and at other times I shivered from
the frost, and frequently falling to the ground I lay without breath and
without motion. I struggled with many afflictions and with terrible
temptations. But from that time till now the power of God in numerous ways had
guarded my sinful soul and my humble body. When I only reflect on the evils
from which Our Lord has delivered me I have imperishable food for hope of
salvation. I am fed and clothed by the all-powerful Word of God, the Lord of
all. For it is not by bread alone that man lives. And those who have stripped
off the rags of sin have no refuge, hiding themselves in the clefts of the
rocks (Job 24; Heb 11.38)."
Hearing that she cited
words of Scripture, from Moses and Job, Zosimas asked her:
"And so you have
read the psalms and other books?"
She smiled at this and
said to the elder:
"Believe be, I have
not seen a human face ever since I crossed the Jordan, except yours today. I
have not seen a beast or a living being ever since I came into the desert. I
never learned from books. I have never even heard anyone who sang and read from
them. But the word of God which is alive and active, by itself teaches a man
knowledge. And so this is the end of my tale. But, as I asked you in the
beginning, so even now I implore you for the sake of the Incarnate word of God,
to pray to the Lord for me who am such a sinner."
Thus concluding here tale
she bowed down before him. And with tears the elder exclaimed:
"Blessed is God Who
creates the great and wondrous, the glorious and marvellous without end.
Blessed is God Who has shown me how He rewards those who fear Him. Truly, O
Lord, Thou dost not forsake those who seek Thee!"
And the woman, not
allowing the elder to bow down before her, said:
"I beg you, holy
father, for the sake of Jesus Christ our God and Savior, tell no one what you
have heard, until God delivers me of this earth. And now depart in peace and
again next year you shall see me, and I you, if God will preserve us in His
great mercy. But for God's sake, do as I ask you. Next year during Lent do not
cross the Jordan, as is your custom in the monastery."
Zosimas was amazed to
hear that she know the rules of the monastery and could only say:
"Glory to God Who
bestows great gifts on those who love Him."
She continued:
"Remain, Abba, in
the monastery. And even if you wish to depart, you will not be to do so. And at
sunset of the holy day of the Last super, put some of the lifegiving Body and
Blood of Christ into a holy vessel worthy to hold such Mysteries for me, and
bring it. And wait for me on the banks of the Jordan adjoining the inhabited
parts of the land, so that I can come and partake of the lifegiving Gifts. For,
since the time I communicated in the temple of the Forerunner before crossing
the Jordan even to this day I have not approached the Holy Mysteries. And I
thirst for them with irrepressible love and longing. And therefore I ask and
implore you to grant me my wish, bring me the lifegiving Mysteries at the very
hour when Our Lord made His disciples partake of His Divine Supper. Tell John
the Abbot of the monastery where you live. Look to yourself and to your
brothers, for there is much that needs correction. Only do not say this now,
but when God guides you. Pray for me!"
With these words she
vanished in the depths of the desert. And Zosimas, falling down on his knees
and bowing down to the ground on which she had stood, sent up glory and thanks
to God. And, after wandering thorough the desert, he returned to the monastery
on the day all the brothers returned.
For the whole year he
kept silent, not daring to tell anyone of what he had seen. But he prayed to
God to give him another chance of seeing the ascetic's dear face. And when at
length the first Sunday of the Great Fast came, all went out into the desert
with the customary prayers and the singing of psalms. Only Zosimas was held
back by illness -- he lay in a fever. And then he remembered what the saint had
said to him: "and even if you wish to depart, you will not be able to
do so."
Many days passed and at
last recovering from his illness he remained in the monastery. And when attain
the monks returned and the day of the Last Supper dawned, he did as he had been
ordered, and placing some of the most pure Body and Blood into a small chalice
and putting some figs and dates and lentils soaked in water into a small
basket, he departed for the desert and reached the banks of the Jordan and sat
down to wait for the saint. He waited for a long while and then began to doubt.
Then, raising his eyes to heaven, he began to pray:
"Grant me, O Lord,
to behold that which Thou hast allowed me to behold once. Do not let me depart
in vain, being the burden of my sins."
And then another thought
struck him:
"And what if she
does come? There is no boat; how will she cross the Jordan to come to me who am
so unworthy?"
And as he was pondering
thus he saw the holy woman appear and stand on the other side of the river.
Zosimas got up rejoicing and glorifying and thanking God. And again the thought
came to him that she could not cross the Jordan. Then he saw that she made the
sign of the Cross over the waters of the Jordan (and the night was a moonlight
one, as he related afterwards) and then she at once stepped on to the waters
and began walking across the surface towards him. And when he wanted to
prostrate himself, she cried to him while still walking on the water:
"What are you doing,
Abba, you are a priest and carrying the divine Gifts!"
He obeyed her and on
reaching the shore she said to the elder:
"Bless, father,
bless me!"
He answered her
trembling, for a state of confusion had overcome him at the sight of the
miracle:
"Truly God did not
lie when He promised that when we purify ourselves we shall be like Him. Glory
to Thee, Christ our God, Who has shown me through this Thy slave how far away I
stand from perfection."
Here the woman asked him
to say the Creed and Our Father. He began, she finished the prayer and
according to the custom of that time gave him the kiss of peace on the lips.
Having partaken of the Holy Mysteries, she raised her hands to heaven and
sighed with tears in her eyes, exclaiming:
"Now lettest Thou
Thy servant depart in peace, O Lord, according to Thy word; for my eyes have
seen Thy salvation."
Then she said to the
elder:
"Forgive me, Abba,
for asking you, but fulfil another wish of mine. Go now to the monastery and
let God's grace guard you, and next year come again to the same place where I
first met you. Come for God's sake, for you shall again see me, for such is the
will of God."
He said to her:
"From this day on I
would like to follow you and always see your holy face. But now fulfil the one
and only wish of an old man and take a little of the food I have brought for
you."
And he showed her the
basket, while she just touched the lentils with the tips of her fingers, and
taking three grains said that the Holy spirit guards the substance of the soul
unpolluted. Then she said:
"Pray, for God's
sake pray for me and remember a miserable wretch."
Touching the saint's feet
and asking for her prayers for the Church, the kingdom and himself, he let her
depart with tears, while he went off sighing and sorrowful, for he could not
hope to vanquish the invincible. Meanwhile she again made the sign of the Cross
over the Jordan, and stepped on to the waters and crossed over as before. And
the elder returned filled with joy and terror, accusing himself of not having
asked the saint her name. But he decided to do so next year.
And when another year had
passed, he again went into the desert. He reached the same spot but could see
no sign of anyone. So, raising his eyes to heaven as before, he prayed:
"Show me, O Lord,
Thy pure treasure, which Thou hast concealed in the desert. Show me, I pray
Thee, the angel in the flesh, of which the world is not worthy."
Then on the opposite bank
of the river, her face turned towards the rising sun, he saw the saint lying
dead. Her hands were crossed according to custom and her face was turned to the
East. Running up he shed tears over the saint's feet and kissed them, not
daring to touch anything else.
For a long time he wept.
Then reciting the appointed psalms, he said the burial prayers and thought to
himself: "Must I bury the body of a saint? Or will this be contrary
to her wishes?" And then he saw words traced on the ground by her
head:
"Abba Zosimas, bury
on this spot the body of humble Mary. Return to dust that which is dust and
pray to the Lord for me, who departed in the month of Fermoutin of Egypt,
called April by the Romans, on the first day, on the very night of our Lord's Passion,
after having partaken of the Divine Mysteries." [St. Mary died in AD
522]
Reading this the elder
was glad to know the saint's name. He understood too that as soon as she had
partaken of the Divine Mysteries on the shore of the Jordan she was at once transported
to the place where she died. The distance which Zosimas had taken twenty days
to cover, Mary had evidently traversed in an hour and had at once surrendered
her soul to God.
Then Zosimas
thought: "It is time to do as she wished. But how am I to dig a grave
with nothing in my hands?"
And then he saw nearby a
small piece of wood left by some traveller in the desert. Picking it up he
began to dig the ground. But the earth was hard and dry and did not yield to
the efforts of the elder. He grew tired and covered with sweat. He sighed from
the depths of his soul and lifting up his eyes he saw a big lion standing close
to the saint's body and licking her feet. At the sight of the lion he trembled
with fear, especially when he called to mind Mary's words that she had never
seen wild beasts in the desert. But guarding himself with the sign of the
cross, the thought came to him that the power of the one lying there would
protect him and keep him unharmed. Meanwhile the lion drew nearer to him,
expressing affection by every movement.
Zosimas said to the lion:
"The Great One
ordered that her body was to be buried. But I am old and have not the strength
to dig the grave, for I have no spade and it would take too long to go and get
one. So can you carry out the work with your claws? Then we can commit to the
earth the mortal temple of the saint."
While he was still
speaking the lion with his front paws began to dig a hole deep enough to bury
the body.
Again the elder washed
the feet of the saint with his tears and calling on her to pray for all,
covered the body with earth in the presence of the lion. It was as it had been,
naked and uncovered by anything but the tattered cloak which had been given to
her by Zosimas and with which Mary, turning away, had managed to cover part of
her body. Then both departed. The lion went off into the depth of the desert
like a lamb, while Zosimas returned to the monastery glorifying and blessing
Christ our Lord. And on reaching the monastery he told all the brothers about
everything, and all marvelled on hearing of God's miracles. And with fear and
love they kept the memory of the saint.
Abbot John, as St. Mary
had previously told Abba Zosimas, found a number of things wrong in the
monastery and got rid of them with God's help. And Saint Zosimas died in the
same monastery, almost attaining the age of a hundred, and passed to eternal
life. The monks kept this story without writing it down and passed it on by
word of mouth to one another.
But I (adds Sophronius)
as soon as I heard it, wrote it down. Perhaps someone else, better informed,
has already written the life of the Saint, but as far as I could, I have
recorded everything, putting truth above all else. May God Who works amazing
miracles and generously bestows gifts on those who turn to Him with faith,
reward those who seek light for themselves in this story, who hear, read and
are zealous to write it, and may He grant them the lot of blessed Mary together
with all who at different times have pleased God by their pious thoughts and
labours.
And let us also give
glory to God, the eternal King, that He may grant us too His mercy in the day of
judgment for the sake of Jesus Christ our Lord, to Whom belongs all glory,
honour, dominion and adoration with the Eternal Father and the Most Holy and
Life-giving Spirit, now and always, and throughout all ages. Amen.
The End, and Glory Be to
God!
From The Great Canon, the Work of Saint Andrew of Crete, Holy Trinity
Monastery, Jordanville, NY, USA. This version of the text is drawn from
the Internet Medieval Source Book, with minor typographical corrections by
the Monachos.net editor.
San Zosimo Anacoreta
Festa: 4 aprile
Palestina, IV sec.
Monaco anacoreta venerato
il 4 aprile, è noto per il suo incontro con Santa Maria Egiziaca nel deserto.
Le offrì la sua tunica, cibo e la comunione prima della sua morte. Un affresco
del XI secolo a Taranto raffigura questo evento, mostrando l'antica usanza di
ricevere la comunione sotto le specie del vino. La sua memoria e quella di
Maria Egiziaca si sono estinte in Puglia dopo il dominio normanno e bizantino.
La figura di San Zosimo,
anacoreta venerato il 4 aprile, è indissolubilmente legata a quella di Santa
Maria Egiziaca. La sua storia, narrata nella leggendaria vita della Santa, ci
offre uno spaccato affascinante sulla vita eremitica nel deserto e sulla
profonda spiritualità che animava questi asceti.
Zosimo e Maria Egiziaca
Secondo la tradizione, Zosimo era un monaco che viveva in una laura in
Palestina. Un giorno, durante la Quaresima, si spinse nel deserto per un
periodo di digiuno e preghiera. Incontrò una donna nuda e emaciata, che si
rivelò essere Maria Egiziaca, una ex prostituta fuggita dalla città per espiare
i suoi peccati. Zosimo rimase colpito dalla sua fede e penitenza, e le offrì la
sua tunica per coprirsi. Nei giorni successivi, le portò il pane eucaristico,
amministrandole la comunione prima della sua morte.
L'affresco di Taranto
Un'affresco di epoca normanna, risalente all'XI secolo, nella cripta del Duomo
di San Cataldo a Taranto, raffigura questo momento cruciale. L'immagine di
Santa Maria che riceve la comunione da Zosimo sotto le specie del vino è un
esempio di un'antica usanza, oggi più diffusa nella Chiesa ortodossa che in
quella cattolica.
Simbolismo e significato
La presenza di questo affresco a Taranto, città contesa tra Normanni e
Bizantini in quel periodo, potrebbe essere un indizio di ecumenismo. La
raffigurazione di una Santa venerata dai Bizantini in una cattedrale di rito
latino potrebbe simboleggiare un anelito di riavvicinamento tra le due Chiese
dopo le battaglie degli anni precedenti.
Culto e memoria
Nonostante la loro fama in passato, né San Zosimo né Santa Maria Egiziaca hanno avuto culto a Taranto o in Puglia dopo l'avvento delle nuove dominazioni nel Regno di Napoli. La loro memoria devozionale si è estinta con la scomparsa dei Normanni e dei Bizantini dal Sud Italia.
Autore: Franco Dieghi
SOURCE : https://www.santiebeati.it/dettaglio/98316
Den hellige Zosimus av
Palestina (400-t)
Minnedag:
4. april
Marias legende, som vi
kjenner den fra Legenda Aurea, stammer fra 600-tallet. Der fortelles det
om den gamle abbeden Zosimus, som hadde levd i et kloster i Palestina i 53 år
da han bestemte seg for å slutte seg til en kommunitet med strengere regler
nærmere elven Jordan. Da han rundt 420 dro gjennom ørkenen, fikk han plutselig
øye på et menneskelig vesen, naken og svartbrent av solen, bare dekket av et
langt, hvitt hår. Kvinnen flyktet da hun så ham. Men da han rakte henne kappen
sin, ropte hun hans navn og ba om hans velsignelse. Forbløffet ba han henne fortelle
hvem hun var.
Etter at hun hadde
fortalt sin historie, falt den gamle ned og lovpriste Herren i hans tjenerinne.
Da bønnfalt hun ham om å be for henne og neste år på skjærtorsdag bringe henne
Herrens legeme. Den gamle dro tilbake til sitt kloster, og året etter dro han
for å bringe henne hostien, som hun hadde bedt om. Hun fikk den hellige
kommunion av hans hånd, ba ham om å komme igjen neste år og forsvant i ørkenen.
Da Zosimus i den neste
fastetiden igjen kom til det stedet hvor han hadde truffet henne første gang,
fant han henne liggende død. Ved siden av henne lå et papir, hvor det sto at
hun hette Maria, og hvor hun ba ham begrave henne og be for henne. Etter at
Zosimus hadde gitt henne en verdig grav, dro han tilbake til sitt kloster og
priste Gud. Der fortalte han sine brødre om hva som hadde skjedd, og derfra
spredte historien seg.
Zosimus skal ha blitt
hundre år gammel før han døde. I kunsten fremstilles Zosimus som en munk som
bringer Maria av Egypt eukaristien, eller som taler til henne over elven
Jordan. Hans minnedag er 4. april.
På et kuppelmaleri fra
1700-tallet på Athosfjellet avbildes de hellige som står i den gresk-ortodokse
kalenderen fra 1. til 13. april (se bildet). Vi starter med paret over hodet på
duen som symboliserer Den Hellige Ånd. Merk at «til høyre for» = mot klokken.
Til høyre den
hellige Maria
av Egypt (400-t), minnedag 1. april (øst) og 2. april (vest), og til
venstre hennes åndelige veileder Zosimus (400-t),
minnedag 4. april. Til høyre for Maria står den hellige Titus
Undergjøreren (800-t), minnedag 2. april. Til høyre for Titus
står Niketas
Bekjenneren (d. 824), minnedag 3. april. På den 4. april skulle
egentlig Zosimus stå, men han er allerede vist sammen med Maria av Egypt. Til
høyre for Niketas: martyren Theodulus og
Agathapodus (t.v. og t.h.) (d. 303), minnedag 5. april. Til høyre for
disse to: Eutykios
av Konstantinopel (d. 582), minnedag 6. april.
Til høre for Eutykios
(under duens føtter): Kalliopios av
Pompeiopolis (d. 303), minnedag 7. april. Til høyre for
Kalliopios: Herodion
av Patras (d. 1. årh), minnedag 8. april; til høyre for
Herodion: Eupsychius
av Caesarea (d. 362), minnedag 9 april. Til høyre for
Eupsychius: Terentius
av Kartago (d. 250), minnedag 10. april; til høyre for
Terentius: Antipas
av Pergamon (d. 90), minnedag 11. april. Til høyre for Antipas (til
venstre for Maria og Zosimas): Basilios av Parium (d.
750), minnedag 12. april.
I nedre venstre hjørne
under Maria og Zosimus: Maximus av Ozovia og
to brødre (d. 303), minnedag 13. april. I det andre hjørnet: nederst
til høyre: (sannsynligvis) martyrdøden til Simeon Barsabae av
Selevkia-Ktesifon (d. 341), minnedag 17. april. I hjørnet overfor over
diagonalen: til venstre Elisabeth
undergjøreren (d. 540), minnedag 24. april; og til høyre Pasikrates av
Durostorum og Valentinus (d. 228), minnedag 24. april. Bildet i det
fjerde hjørnet er ukjent. Videre under Titus Undergjøreren: den
korsfestede Maura
av Antinoë (d. 298), minnedag 3. mai.
Kilder:
Benedictines, Bunson, KIR, CSO, Patron Saints SQPN, Infocatho,
en.wikipedia.org, zeno.org, oca.org - Kompilasjon og oversettelse: p. Per Einar Odden
Opprettet: 20. august
1998
SOURCE : https://www.katolsk.no/biografier/historisk/zpalesti
Sainte MARIE
l'ÉGYPTIENNE, pénitente et ermite : https://har22201.blogspot.com/2012/04/sainte-marie-legyptienne.html
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