St. Nilammon

From Sozomen. an ancient Church. Eistorian, lib. 8. c. 19.

NILAMMON was a holy anchoret, who had made him self a little cell near Geres, a small city of Egypt, in the neighborhood of Pelusium, where he dwelt foi many years in admirable sanctity. When the bishop of that city died, the clergy and people, who had conceived a high opinion of the eminent virtues of thii servant of God, desired to have him for his successor. But whatsover advances they made, Nilammon's humility repelled, by refusing to submit his shoulders to a charge which even an angel might have reason to dread; but being apprehensive that they would use violence., he closed up the door of his cell, and fenced it with stones, that they might not be able to come at him.

In the mean time it happened that Theophilus, the patriarch of Alexandria, coming by sea from Constan tinople, where he had been too much engaged in the unjust deposition of St, John Chrysostom, was driven by a storm upon the coast of Geres. The people therefore took this opportunity of the presence of the patriarch to entreat him to oblige Nilammon to accept of the bishopric. Whereupon Theophilus going to his cell, used his utmost endeavors to prevail upon him to accept of episcopal consecration, and continued to press him so closely, that Nilammon finding the pa triarch would not hear any thing that he could al-ledge to excuse himself, desired at least one day's respite to set his affairs in order, telling him, that on the following day he might do with him as he pleased.

The patriarch failed not to return on the following day, accompanied by all the people, and then chal lenging the Saint to fulfil his promise, he desired him (o open the door, that they might proceed to his consecration. Nilammon proposed that some time should be allowed him for prayer before his consecration Tlieophilus applauded the proposition, and betook himself also to prayer; but the fervor of Nilammon's prayers was so excessive, that he breathed out his soul into the hands of his Creator. In the mean time, the patriarch and people who remained without, after hav ing allowed him, as they thought, competent time for his devotion, began to be impatient, and to call aloud on him to open his door; but finding that a great part of the day passed in this manner, and that he re turned no answer, they forced their way into his cell, where, to their great surprise, they found him dead. Having buried him with great honor, they erected a church over his monument, where they celebrated his festival amongst the Saints.

He died anno 403, and his name is recorded in the Roman Martyrology on the sixth day of January.