Today June 17

Today is the feast of St. Bessarion, 4th-century Desert Father. He actually met and studied under St. Anthony the Great and St. Macarius. And when I say "studied under," I don't mean as in college, but quietly, as a novice does a guru. Bessarion was uniquely non-materialistic, not worried about what he was to eat, or what he was to wear, or where he was to live. He had no possessions and (hardest of all, in my opinion), he read no books. A brother came to him and asked, "What should I do?" Abba Bessarion replied, "Keep silence and do not compare yourself with others."

Bessarion was a miracle worker besides. One day he was walking by the sea with Abba Doulas, his young disciple. "Father, I am very thirsty," said the young man. Abba Bessarion said a prayer and then said, "Drink some of the sea water." And by Doulas' own testimony, the water was sweet and fresh. The young man then poured some in a leather skin and the old man asked him why. "Forgive me, Father, it is for fear of being thirsty later on." And the old man told him there was no need to do that because, as he said: "God is here, God is everywhere."

And one day he had to cross the river Chrysoroas. He said a prayer and crossed over on the top of the river, not exactly dry-shod, but miraculously. When asked, he replied, "I felt the water just to my heels, but the rest was dry."

Also one day when he and his disciple were traveling and it was getting late, Bessarion prayed: "I pray you, Lord, that the sun may stand still till we reach your servant," and that's exactly what happened.

He was very deep and compassionate. A brother who had sinned was turned out of the church by the priest; Abba Bessarion got up and went with him, saying, "I, too, am a sinner."