St. Isaac of Nineveh, Arsenius the Cappadocian, St. Onesiphorus, and St. Teresia Benedicta all share a common trait – they are saints. Let us look at their inspiring quotes and learn from their life experiences.
St. Isaac of Nineveh
The life of St. Isaac of Nineveh can be traced back to the 6th century. He was born in Qatar and entered a monastery at an early age. Isaac grew to be a revered teacher and holy man. He was ordained bishop of Nineveh, the former capital of Assyria. However, he requested abdication from the episcopate after five months and went to the wilderness of Mount Matout. There, he studied the Scriptures for years. Eventually, he retired to a monastery in Rabban Shabur, where he died on January 28.
Isaac is the patron saint of Christians and a major source of inspiration for Christians. Isaac is an example of a spiritual life that goes beyond the material world and embraces suffering. While he suffered the consequences of his faith, he remained humble and kind. His orthodox writings have become important sources for Christians.
Isaac of Nineveh’s writings were originally written in Syriac. The Greek translation of his works is much different from the original Syriac text. The Greek version includes less than half of the original text. It also lacks the fourteen Homilies from the first volume.
St. Arsenius the Cappadocian
Arsenios was born in Rome, about 350 AD, into a Christian senatorial family. He was known as a kind and generous soul, who donated his wealth to the poor. He also lived a simple life of asceticism and became famous for his wisdom and righteousness.
Arsenius was an anchorite and former tutor to the Roman imperial. He was also one of the most respected Desert Fathers, influencing the development of asceticism and contemplative living. His holiness has earned him the nickname “Arsenius the Great.” His feast day is May 8 in the Eastern Orthodox church, and 13 Pashons in the Coptic Orthodox church.
In addition to healing the sick, St. Anthony also performed many other miracles. He drove out demons, cured blind people, and made water pour from barren ground. He also embraced surrounding villages, healing their pain and suffering.
St. Onesiphorus
The second Epistle of Paul, one of the most widely read Christian texts in the world, contains a mention of St. Onesiphorus. Paul mentions Onesiphorus’ loyal service to the Apostle in Rome and prays for him at the day of judgment. However, he does not mention Onesiphorus himself, but mentions his household.
Orthodox believers have a strong respect for their saints. They seek to emulate them. They will choose a patron saint that is meaningful to them personally. Some people pick their patron saint at birth, while others choose one later in life. In either case, they look up to their patron saint as a role model and mascot.
Saint Onesiphorus is an ancient Christian martyr. He is the third-most-popular orthodox saint and was martyred for his faith. In the second century, he is believed to have converted many people. His life is a great example of the power of prayer. He was known for his perseverance and self-sacrifice.
St. Arsenius
Arsenius, a great ascetic and keeper of silence, spent fifty-five years in monastic labors. He spent ten years in the mountain of Troe near Memphis and another three at Canopus. During his last days, he reposed in God. He had three children: Alexander, Zoilos, and Daniel.
After his conversion, Arsenius left his palace and a luxurious life for the sake of the gospel. He began to crave a life of quiet solitude and prayer. He prayed to the Lord for guidance and heard the voice of God telling him to leave the company of men and pursue a life of prayer. As he prayed, he was guided by the Holy Spirit. One day, he was spotted praying in the desert.
In 400, Arsenius joined a monastery in Egypt. He was a wretched wanderer but he had cultivated his manner. He was invited by Abba John the Dwarf, a monk renowned for his holiness. Abba John threw him a piece of bread and said, “If you can do this, you will become a great ascetic.”
