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St. Taisia. Life of Blessed Taisia. Taisiya Name day according to the Church Calendar

She, who is now revered in the face of great saints, has long been a great sinner.
The fatherland of Taisia ​​and the city that witnessed her sad victories are unknown. It is only known that she lived in Egypt, and all Egypt knew about her exorbitant debauchery. Her mother was a woman of a bad life and not only did not care about instilling good rules in her, but she herself taught her to trade in debauchery. With such lessons, the beautiful daughter became terrible. Rich people of all ages hurried to catch her attention, ruined their fortune for gifts; lovers in the house of the charmer not only fought, but also killed one another, the peace and happiness of many families were upset by the grace of this satanic servant.
The rumor about the enchantress Taisia ​​reached the monastery of the Heracleian Abba Paphnutius. Paphnutius was such a lofty ascetic that they looked at him like an angel of God. Zealous for the salvation of souls, he turned many forgetful laity to the path of salvation. Hearing about Taisia, Pafnuty took off his hermit clothes and, in the attire of a secular rich man, with a supply of money, appeared in a crowd of admirers of the charmer.
Taisia ​​had not yet completely stifled the demands of religion in her heart; she still believed in an omniscient God, believed that after death there would be a judgment of truth. But these thoughts only flickered in her soul, like all secular women; they were obscured and did not reach the depths of the heart, under the influence of her addictions to worldly pleasures, to luxury, bliss, carnal pleasure, a cheerful life.
Paphnutius used to save Taisia ​​the truths that were accessible to her soul. Having used means that open access to miserable women, Paphnutius asked Taisia ​​to make an appointment in a secret place, in such a secret place, where not only people, but God Himself could not see them. She answered, with a smile, that it was impossible—God sees everything and everywhere. Then Paphnutius vividly presented to her the horror of the audacity to sin so impudently, so vilely, as she sins; revealed to her what a terrifying answer she must give before God both for her infamy and for the iniquities of the souls she had corrupted and ruined, for the many souls tormented by her debauchery or who had lost their very lives in the pursuit of her.
Taisia ​​soon felt that the one who spoke to her in such a language was not a secular sinful person and not even a secular clever man, but a person sent to her by God, and - her heart lit up with heavenly light.
Trembling, shedding tears, she threw herself at the feet of the hermit and said: subject me to any kind of repentance - I feel my abomination, I tremble of the torment ready for me - but I also hope that God will have mercy on me with your prayers, give me no more than three hours of time I need, and I will appear where you command and do everything that you demand of me. Paphnutius agreed and appointed a meeting place.
Taisia ​​collected all the treasures she had collected, the fruits of her terrible debauchery, clothes, jewelry, which cost a huge sum; she ordered everything to be taken to the square, here, in the presence of the people, she herself lit everything and loudly called on the participants in her depraved life to repent of sins; giving the fruits of sin to the fire, she let it be seen that she recognized her former life as vile, did not find the property acquired by sin, even worth distributing it to the poor, but burned everything like plague.
Having done this, she appeared at the place appointed by Paphnutius. He took her to a nunnery and locked her in a cramped cell, a lead seal was attached to the doors, and orders were given through a small window to give the penitent a piece of bread and some water.
Imprisoned, as it were, in a coffin, Taisia ​​asked the departing Paphnutius about one thing: how should she pray to God? "You are unworthy to call on God and call Him with your lips, unworthy to raise your hands to heaven; your mouth is full of wickedness and your hands are defiled with crimes. Turning to the east, repeat one thing: Created me! have mercy on me!"
The penitent faithfully carried out the severe penance assigned to her.
Three years later: Pafnuty felt in his heart regret for the prisoner. He went to Great Anthony to find out if Taisia's sins were forgiven by God? Appearing to him, he told him about the life of Taisiya. Saint Anthony gathered his main disciples to himself and invited them to spend the night in prayer, would the Lord not reveal his will about the need of Paphnutius? The will of God was revealed to Paul, who was called the Most Holy One. A bed appeared to him in heaven, covered with robes of inimitable beauty and guarded by three divas with bright and beautiful faces. Paul enthusiastically said, "That's right, it's ready for my father Anthony." Then a voice announced to him: "No, this is not for Anthony, but for the harlot Taisia." So Paphnutius learned the will of God about Taisia.
Appearing at the monastery where Taisia ​​was locked up, he opened the door of her cell. Taisia ​​humbly told him that she would like to remain in seclusion. Paphnutius announced: "Come out, God has forgiven you your sins." She obeyed and at the same time said: "God is my witness, from the moment I entered the cell, all my sins were before my eyes, and I shed tears looking at them." "For this, said Paphnutius, the merciful Lord had mercy on you, and not for the severity of your imprisonment."
Taisiya lived only 15 days after leaving the purifying prison. Her soul, washed with repentance and freed by those who took upon themselves the sins of the whole world, flew up to heaven for an incorruptible reward.
Paphnutius, the day before his death, spoke about Taisia ​​to the hermits who were with him, showing in experience that there is no state in life that would be allowed to be despised, and that the greatest criminals can achieve both forgiveness and great rewards by sincere repentance.
Since Blessed Taisia ​​labored and rested under Great Anthony (+ 356) and Paul the Presto (+ 340), her death followed no later than 340.
We consider it necessary to say here about the peculiarity that distinguished Pavel the Prest (see the life of October 4, according to the old style), who learned about the fate of Taisia. He had a gift from the Lord to see the hearts of people, as they see the face of another. Once he stood at the door of the temple, where the evening service began. Monks entered one by one with a cheerful look. But one walked gloomy and upset, the spirit of malice grabbed his hands to drag him away from the house of God.
The monk sat down at the threshold and wept bitterly; thus he wept all evening. When the service was over and among the others was the brother, who had been upset before, but now cheerful, Pavel jumped up for joy, stopped his brother in front of everyone.
"For the common good," said Paul, "reveal how it happened that you became a different soul?" He answered freely: “Yes, I definitely was a sinner, I lived viciously and carefree. But now I heard the words of the prophet in the temple: Wash yourself and you will be clean ... .* And I decided in the temple to change my life. And now I swear before everyone - I will serve the Lord from a sincere heart." "You see, brethren," Paul added cheerfully, "the Lord is ready to receive every sinner, if only we would come to Him."

* "Wash yourself, be cleansed ... If your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow"

] once lived a woman who was depraved, shameless and unclean in her life. Having one daughter, named Taisia, she taught her the same shameful way of life, which she herself had learned, took her to a prodigal house and gave her to the service of Satan, to the destruction of many human souls by seducing them with her beauty; for Taisia ​​was very beautiful in her appearance and was famous everywhere for the beauty of her face. Because of carnal lust for Taisia, many brought her a lot of gold and silver, shiny and expensive clothes. Seducing her admirers, she brought them to such ruin that many, having lost their property for her sake, fell into poverty, and others, starting quarrels among themselves because of her, beat each other and covered the thresholds of her house with their blood.

Hearing about this, the Monk Paphnutius, dressed in worldly clothes and taking with him a gold coin, entered the house where Taisia ​​lived. Seeing her, he gave her a coin in the form of payment, as if wishing to stay with her. Taisia, taking the money, said to him:

- Enter the room.

Paphnutius entered with her and saw a high bed laid out; sitting on it, he said to Taisiya:

- Is there another room, a secret, we will shut ourselves in it so that no one knows about us?

Taisia ​​replied:

- Eat; however, if you are ashamed of people, then in this one you will hide from them, because the doors are closed and no one will enter here and know about us, and if you fear God, then there is no place that could hide you before Him, and if even under the earth you have hidden yourself, then God sees there too.

Hearing these words from her, Paphnutius said to her:

“Do you also know about God?”

Taisia ​​replied:

– I know about God, and about the blessedness of the righteous, and about the torment of sinners.

Then the elder said to her:

– If you know about God, and about future bliss and torment, then why do you defile people and have already destroyed so many souls? Condemned to hellfire, you will suffer torment not only for your own sins, but also for those whom you have defiled.

At these words, Taisia, weeping, threw herself at the feet of the elder, exclaiming:

– I also know that there is repentance for sinners and forgiveness for sins, and I hope to get rid of sins with your prayers and receive the mercy of the Lord. But I beg you, wait for me a little, only three hours, and then wherever you tell me, I will go, and whatever you tell me, I will do.

The elder showed her a place where he would be waiting for her, and left. Then Taisia, having collected all her treasures acquired through debauchery, at a cost of up to four hundred liters of gold, carried them out to the middle of the city and, lighting a fire, laid all this on it, and burned it in front of all the people, exclaiming: “Come, all you who have sinned with me, and watch me burn what you gave me."

Consigning to the fire the wealth acquired in an impure way, she went to the place where Paphnutius was waiting for her. The elder took her to the nunnery and, asking for a small cell, brought Taisia ​​into it and shut her up there; but he sealed up the door of the cell and boarded it up, leaving only a small window, so that through it it was possible to give her some bread and water.

How do you command me, father, to pray to God? Taisia ​​asked Saint Paphnutius.

“You are unworthy,” answered the elder, “neither to pronounce the name of the Lord, nor to raise your hands to heaven, for your mouth is full of filth and your hands are polluted with uncleanness; say only, often turning to the east: "Creator of me, have mercy on me!".

And Taisia ​​stayed in that seclusion for three years, praying to God, as Paphnutius taught her, eating only a little bread and water, and then only once a day.

After three years, Paphnutius, prompted by mercy towards her, went to the great Anthony, wanting to know whether God had forgiven her or not.

Coming to the elder, he told him everything about the life of Taisia. Anthony called his disciples and ordered them to shut up each separately in their cell and pray to God all night long so that He would reveal to one of them about Taisia, who repented of her sins. The disciples fulfilled the command of their father and implored God: He revealed about her to one of them, named Paul, who was called the Most Simple. Standing at prayer at night, he saw in a vision the heavens opened, and a bed standing, laid out very richly and shining with great glory; three maidens, bright in face, stood and guarded him, and the crown lay on the bed. Seeing this, Paul asked:

- It is true that this bed and crown are prepared for no other person than my father Anthony.

- This is not prepared for Father Anthony, but for Taisia, the former harlot.

Having come to his senses, Paul began to think about what he had seen, and when morning came, he went to the blessed fathers Anthony and Paphnutius and told them about his vision. And when they heard about it, they glorified God, who accepts the truly penitent. Then Paphnutius went to the nunnery where Taisia ​​lived in seclusion and, having broken the doors, wanted to bring her out. But she began to ask him:

- Allow me, father, to remain here until my death and grieve over my sins: I have so many of them.

The old man answered her:

“The philanthropic God has already accepted your repentance and forgiven your sins,” and he brought her out of her seclusion.

Then blessed Taisia ​​said:

“Believe me, father, that as soon as I entered the seclusion, I presented all my sins before my mental eyes and, looking at them, wept unceasingly. All my evil deeds have not departed from my eyes until now, but stand before me and terrify me, because for them I will be condemned.

Coming out of her seclusion, blessed Taisia ​​fell into an illness fifteen days later, and after being ill for three days, by the grace of God, she rested in peace. From the bed of sickness she was transferred to the bed that Paul the Simple had seen prepared for her in heaven, where she is praised with the saints in glory and rejoices forever. Thus the sinner and the whore-lover preceded us in the kingdom of God.

The name Taisia ​​is of ancient Greek origin, from the translation she is called wise, fertile, late, belonging to the goddess Isis. The Day of the Angel of Taisia, every Orthodox believer celebrates a number of times a year. This is because there are several Saints with that name in history. We know only three Taisia ​​the martyr, Taisia ​​of Egypt of the fifth century and St. Taisia ​​of Egypt of Thebaid of the 6th century. When studying what day Taisia ​​celebrates her own name day, it is necessary to carefully consider the historical facts of the life of these Blessed Ones. Since it was sincere belief in the Almighty and repentance for their own atrocities that helped them escape from hellfire.

Taisia: Orthodox name days

There is a very small number of facts about Taisia ​​the Martyr, but it should be noted that she accepted a painful death for her courage and firmness in confessing the faith of Christ. The name day of Taisia ​​the Martyr is celebrated by Orthodox saints on April 4 according to the current calendar.

But the very life and work of Taisia ​​of Egypt is known in more detail. It existed in the fifth century on the territory of ancient Egypt. At the hour when her wealthy father and mother were dying, she began to exercise a God-fearing life and gave herself to good intentions and support for the sick and powerless.

Her monastery was often visited by monks who came from the desert to the city in order to sell their own baskets. Taisia ​​was revered and respected, she enjoyed great respect among the people. However, after her own diligent life, her financial situation has noticeably decreased over time. And the woman also caught up with the need. During this period, a large number of people of bad behavior arise in the society of Taisiya, and she is amenable to influence to lead a disorderly life.

After this information reached the monks from the desert monastery, who had previously visited the dwelling of Blessed Taisia, they were very upset by this situation. They went with an appeal to Abba John Kolov and appealed to come to the aid of their own sister in Christ, Taisia, who did a huge amount of good for them.
Father John responded approvingly to this petition and moved towards the blessed woman. When he saw her, he sat down close and for a long period of time carefully looked at her very much, and then bowed his own head and sobbed.

In the future, the Most Holy One asked why he was crying, to which he replied that the reason for that state was the infernal game that was displayed on her appearance. He asked her about why the girl did not recognize the Almighty, is his activity unpleasant for her?

Then, as if the veil had fallen from Taisiya's eyes, she began to ask the old man questions about repentance, if there is any for her at all, then she will do everything possible. As a result of this, Immaculate Taisia ​​left after John. When morning came, he noticed that Saint Taisia ​​was lifeless. He began to grieve that the spirit of Taisia ​​had been killed, since she did not have time in her earthly existence to repent, partake and become a nun. And during the period, as soon as he thought about it, the elder heard a chant that proclaimed that Taisia, a few hours before her own death, was forgiven

From now on, every Orthodox believer also honors her name day. Taisia, according to the church calendar, celebrates her day in the spring on May 23. However, this is not all. In fact, there was another Holy One who bore this name, and in some ways their existence was similar.

Another saint named Taisia ​​was called Taisia ​​the Egyptian Thebaid. She existed in the third century and was the daughter of a harlot. Her mother taught her her own craft. Thus, she began to lead a wild life and played with the stronger sex, ruining their wallets. Finding out about this, Saint Paphnutius the Great appeared to her on his own. A conversation with him made Taisiya reconsider her views on the whole existence. After the conversation, she went to the municipal square and burned all the riches that she got in such a dirty way. And subsequently she followed Pafnutiy to a nunnery, where she became a recluse and for three years she tried once a day.

A few years later, the elder Paphnutius moved to Anthony the Great in order to find out if the Almighty had forgiven the sins of Taisia. He ordered to offer up a prayer to all the brethren, after which, one of the monks named Pavel Besprostoy had a vision during which it became obvious that Immaculate Taisia ​​was forgiven.


After that, the Blessed One returned to the temple and rushed to Taisia ​​with a speech that her grave sins had been forgiven her by the Lord. He intended to take her out of the cell, but the girl resisted, but still the Reverend managed to take her outside. After 15 days, the Blessed Taisia ​​fell ill and died.

There were not so many holy spouses who bore the name of Taisia ​​in the existence of the Russian Orthodox Church, and whoever you prefer as your own heavenly benefactor, offer sincere prayers for his support. May the Almighty come to your aid with a pure prayer to our ancestors.

Characteristics of the birthday boy Taisiya:

Historians have established that the name Taisia ​​is of ancient Egyptian origin. In translation, it means "dedicated to Isis." Other historical evidence is confirmed by the fact that the name Taisia ​​comes from the Greek language, or rather from the name Thais. It is worth noting that this shrine was not the most famous in ancient times, in Greece it was considered the girlfriend of the ruler Alexander the Great.

Taisia ​​of Athens was the wife of the famous Egyptian ruler Ptolemy. Historical information says that this woman could initiate the arson of the palace, which was previously conquered by Alexander Persepolis. Historians claim that in this way Taisia ​​took revenge on Persia for the burning of Athens. It is also important to note the fact that in various pre-revolutionary information the name Taisiya is written as in Faida. Therefore, do not be surprised if such a name occurs.

There are many professions in the world, which is why there are specialists who explore the mystery of the name and its influence on the human character. It was such experts who established that a woman named Taisiya has a certain independent and secretive character. At the same time, in various life situations, she can be proud, although by nature she has an innate caution. Throughout her life, a woman tries not to advertise her own characteristic or spiritual qualities, therefore, competent experts have established that Taisia ​​is proud by nature. However, at the same time, she is balanced and quite modest. Sometimes from such a person one can expect various impulsive actions, which subsequently lead her to adverse deeds. Undoubtedly, it is extremely difficult to guess the female character and actions, but when it comes to Taisiya, we can safely say that it is almost impossible to guess about her true deeds or intentions. It can only be compared with a cunning animal, such as a cat, since a woman named Taisia ​​can patiently wait for the right moment for hours.

At the same time, Taisia ​​is not an insidious woman. She is distinguished from other women by her diplomatic acts and is known for all her familiar patience and strength. She can accumulate negative energy in herself for a long time, sort of like showing patience or adapting to certain people. However, over time, the character will manifest itself and emotions or resentments that have accumulated over a long time will pour out on another person, while such an act will be super impulsive. Therefore, experts say that Taisiya is secretive, but not silent. In extremely difficult situations, she will be able to resolve various misunderstandings with the help of her own diplomatic traits.

Day of the Angel of Taisia

The name Taisia ​​first appeared in historical evidence and chronicles around the fourth century in Egypt. Historians claim that at that time there were several forms of the name Taisiya, such as Taisya and Taisa. It is believed that in history the name Taisia ​​of Egypt comes from the goddess Isis, it is she who is the main patroness and a kind of guardian angel. On the territory of Egypt, the famous goddess named Isis was the most revered, due to the culture of the individual, it was distributed to many countries of the world, including the Mediterranean and Greece.

Mythological data says that Isis was the sister, wife of God Osiris and mother of God Horus. To this day, she is the personification of motherhood, marital fidelity and fertility. Navigators still highly value the Blessed One today, since it is believed that she also protects them during the sailing period and is a kind of personification of the water element. In mythology, Isis is depicted with the horns of a cow or with her head. From various sources it is known that the statues depict the goddess with her son in her arms. It was this sculpture that at one time had a strong impact on the iconography of modern icons of the Mother of God.

The fate of the name Taisiya in history


History claims that for many centuries there were various famous women who bore the name Taisiya. One of the most famous and popular is Taisia ​​of Athens, who at one time was a famous high-class guitar, that is, she is a legendary ancient beauty known not only in history, but also in mythology. This woman possessed incredible and perfect beauty. She went down in history as a participant in the campaign of Alexander the Great. Taisia ​​of Athens was not only a beautiful woman, but also a very intelligent person and therefore knew how to surpass a man in conversation.

No less popular is Taisia ​​of Egypt, who lived in the fifth century and is considered a Christian shrine.

Also in the Orthodox Christian Church, there are many references that date back to the third century about Taisia ​​the Egyptian Thebaid. She is known as a repentant harlot who subsequently resided in an Egyptian monastery around the year 340.

It is important to note the fact that in the Orthodox Christian faith there are very few women who would bear the name Taisia. That is why the day of the angel is celebrated on April 4, May 23 and October 21. It is on this day that a person whose name day falls should visit the temple in order to offer a prayer service directed to his patron and the Almighty in order to thank them for their help and various deeds. It is worth noting the fact that the Orthodox and Christian churches, the holy canons do not give any precise instructions on how exactly it is necessary to celebrate the name day or the day of the angel Taisia.

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Life of St. Taisia

In the land of Egypt 1 there once lived a woman who was depraved, shameless and unclean in her life. Having one daughter, named Taisia, she taught her the same shameful way of life, which she herself had learned, took her to a prodigal house and gave her to the service of Satan, to the destruction of many human souls by seducing them with her beauty; for Taisia ​​was very beautiful in her appearance and was famous everywhere for the beauty of her face. Because of carnal lust for Taisia, many brought her a lot of gold and silver, shiny and expensive clothes. Seducing her admirers, she brought them to such ruin that many, having lost their property for her sake, fell into poverty, and others, starting quarrels among themselves because of her, beat each other and covered the thresholds of her house with their blood.

Hearing about this, the Monk Paphnutius 2, dressed in worldly clothes and taking with him a gold coin, entered the house where Taisia ​​lived. Seeing her, he gave her a coin in the form of payment, as if wishing to stay with her. Taisia, taking the money, said to him:

- Enter the room.

Paphnutius entered with her and saw a high bed laid out; sitting on it, he said to Taisiya:

- Is there another room, a secret, we will shut ourselves in it so that no one knows about us?

Taisia ​​replied:

- Eat; however, if you are ashamed of people, then in this one you will hide from them, because the doors are closed and no one will enter here and know about us, and if you fear God, then there is no place that could hide you before Him, and if even under the earth you have hidden yourself, then God sees there too.

Hearing these words from her, Paphnutius said to her:

“Do you also know about God?”

Taisia ​​replied:

– I know about God, and about the blessedness of the righteous, and about the torment of sinners.

Then the elder said to her:

– If you know about God, and about future bliss and torment, then why do you defile people and have already destroyed so many souls? Condemned to hellfire, you will suffer torment not only for your own sins, but also for those whom you have defiled.

At these words, Taisia, weeping, threw herself at the feet of the elder, exclaiming:

– I also know that there is repentance for sinners and forgiveness for sins, and I hope to get rid of sins with your prayers and receive the mercy of the Lord. But I beg you, wait for me a little, only three hours, and then wherever you tell me, I will go, and whatever you tell me, I will do.

The elder showed her a place where he would be waiting for her, and left. Then Taisia, having collected all her treasures, acquired through debauchery, at a price of up to four hundred liters of gold, carried them out to the middle of the city and, lighting a fire, laid all this on it, and burned it in front of all the people, exclaiming: “Come, all who sinned with me, and watch me burn what you gave me."

Consigning to the fire the wealth acquired in an impure way, she went to the place where Paphnutius was waiting for her. The elder took her to the nunnery and, asking for a small cell, brought Taisia ​​into it and shut her up there; but he sealed up the door of the cell and boarded it up, leaving only a small window, so that through it it was possible to give her some bread and water.

How do you command me, father, to pray to God? Taisia ​​asked Saint Paphnutius

“You are unworthy,” answered the elder, “neither to pronounce the name of the Lord, nor to raise your hands to heaven, for your mouth is full of filth and your hands are polluted with uncleanness; say only, often turning to the east: “Your who created me, have mercy on me!”

And Taisia ​​stayed in that seclusion for three years, praying to God, as Paphnutius taught her, eating only a little bread and water, and then only once a day.

After three years, Paphnutius, prompted by mercy towards her, went to the great Anthony 3, wanting to know whether God had forgiven her or not.

Coming to the elder, he told him everything about the life of Taisia. Anthony called his disciples and ordered them to shut up each separately in their cell and pray to God all night long so that He would reveal to one of them about Taisia, who repented of her sins. The disciples fulfilled the command of their father and implored God: He revealed her to one of them, named Paul, who was called the Most Simple 4. Standing at prayer at night, he saw in a vision the heavens opened, and a bed standing, laid out very richly and shining with great glory; three maidens, bright in face, stood and guarded him, and the crown lay on the bed. Seeing this, Paul asked:

- It is true that this bed and crown are prepared for no other person than my father Anthony.

- This is not prepared for Father Anthony, but for Taisia, the former harlot.

Having come to his senses, Paul began to think about what he had seen, and when morning came, he went to the blessed fathers Anthony and Paphnutius and told them about his vision. And when they heard about it, they glorified God, who accepts the truly penitent. Then Paphnutius went to the nunnery where Taisia ​​lived in seclusion and, having broken the doors, wanted to bring her out. But she began to ask him:

- Allow me, father, to remain here until my death and grieve over my sins: I have so many of them.

The old man answered her:

“The philanthropic God has already accepted your repentance and forgiven your sins,” and he brought her out of her seclusion.

Then blessed Taisia ​​said:

“Believe me, father, that as soon as I entered the seclusion, I presented all my sins before my mental eyes and, looking at them, wept unceasingly. All my evil deeds have not departed from my eyes until now, but stand before me and terrify me, because for them I will be condemned.

Coming out of her seclusion, blessed Taisia ​​fell into an illness fifteen days later, and after being ill for three days, by the grace of God, she rested in peace. From the bed of sickness she was transferred to the bed that Paul the Simple had seen prepared for her in heaven, where she is praised with the saints in glory and rejoices forever. Thus the sinner and the whore-lover preceded us in the kingdom of God 5 .

________________________________________________________________________

1 The fatherland and the city that witnessed the sad victories of Taisiya during her prodigal life are unknown.

2 Under prep. Paphnutius here, of course, is the abbot of the Heracles monastery. Among the Greeks, Heraclea, among the Jews, Ganes, among the Arabs, Anas, is one of the cities of the Heptanom province, located between Lower and Upper Egypt, ranked in Upper Egypt. According to Rufinus in his history of monasticism (ch. 16) and Palladius in his Lavsaik (ch. 57), Paphnutius was such a lofty ascetic that they looked at him like an angel of God. Zealous for the salvation of souls, he turned many erring laity to the path of salvation.

In Egypt, there lived a Christian girl named Taisia. When her parents died and she was left an orphan, then, wishing to preserve herself in virginal purity, Taisia ​​distributed all her property to the poor, and made her house a hospice for the monks of the skete. So she labored for a long time, taking ascetics into her house and giving them rest from the journey. After a rather long time, Taisia ​​completely spent all her property, so that she fell into great poverty. Through the deceit of the devil, some sinners approached her, who seduced her to sin and distracted her from the path of salvation; from that time Taisia ​​began to lead a sinful life, indulging in fornication and debauchery.

When the ascetics of the skete found out about such a change in the life of Taisia, they were very sad. After consulting among themselves, they went to Abba John Kolov and said to him:
“We heard about that sister that she leads a sinful life. But since she showed us great love by giving us shelter in her house, then we will show her our spiritual love and take care of the salvation of her soul. Make the effort, honest father, go to her and exhort her to repentance, you will be able to do this, since you are endowed with wisdom from God. We will fast and bring fervent prayers to God, so that the Lord will help you.

Abba John Kolov, fulfilling the request of the honest fathers, went to the city to that woman, praying inwardly to God, his Helper, who is pleased that everyone be saved.

Approaching Taisia's house, the elder knocked on the door and then said to the woman guarding the entrance to the house:
“Tell your mistress that I have come to talk to her.”

The doorkeeper answered him angrily:
“You monks have squandered all her possessions!”

But the old man said to her:
“Tell her about me that I brought her something very valuable.

The porter went and told her mistress as the elder had said.

The woman answered:
- Those monks, walking near the Red Sea, sometimes find beads. Bring that old man to me.

Entering the house, the elder sat down near Taisia; then, looking at her face and sighing deeply, he bowed his head and began to weep.

Then Taisia ​​asked the elder:
- Honest father! What are you crying about?

The old man answered her:
“I see how Satan plays on your face; how can I not cry? Why did you not want to have our Lord Jesus Christ, the Most Honorable and Immortal Bridegroom, as your bridegroom? Why did you despise His palace and give yourself to Satan? Why are you doing his bad deeds?

Hearing such words, Taisia ​​was touched by her soul, since the words of the elder were for her like a fiery arrow that pierced her heart. Immediately there appeared in her an aversion to her sinful life; she became ashamed of herself and of her sinful deeds. Then she told the old man.
- Honest father! Is there repentance for sinners?

The old man answered her:
- Indeed, there is, and the Savior is waiting for your conversion, being ready to receive you in His paternal arms; for He does not want the sinner to perish, but wants the sinner to turn to the path of salvation. And so I will be your guarantor that if you repent sincerely and turn to the Lord with all your heart, then He will love you again as His bride and, having cleansed you from all sinful impurity, will lead you into His incorruptible heavenly chamber. Then all the orders of angels will rejoice over you, because they rejoice even over one sinner who repents.

Taisiya said:
“May the will of God be done, honest father!” Take me from here and lead me where you know where I can find a place convenient for repentance.

The old man said:
- Let's go to.

Then, getting up, he went to the exit of her house.

Taisia ​​also got up and followed the elder, having arranged nothing in her house, saying nothing to anyone about the house, but leaving everything at once, for the sake of Christ.

Seeing that Taisia ​​did not take care of her house at all and did not say anything to anyone, Father John was very surprised at such a sudden change and such zeal of Taisia ​​for God. Thanking God for this, he went on his way. Taisia ​​walked behind him at a considerable distance from him.

When the travelers reached the desert, it was already late; the night was coming.
Having arranged a small head of sand on the ground, the elder said to Taisiya:
Sleep here under the protection of the grace of God.

Then, having shielded her with the sign of the cross, he moved away from her at a short distance. Having made his usual prayers, the elder lay down on the ground and fell asleep.
When midnight came, the elder woke up, as he saw a light in the sky. Raising his eyes upward, the elder saw a streak of fire coming from the sky towards Taisia.

From this vision, John was horrified. Looking more closely at Taisia, he noticed that the angels of God were raising the soul of Taisia ​​to heaven along the way. John looked at this wondrous vision until it was hidden from his eyes. Then, getting up, John went to Taisia; going up to her, he pushed her with his hand, but saw that she was dead. Then the elder, in fear and trembling, fell prostrate on the ground. And there was a voice to him from heaven, saying: “Her repentance, brought in one hour, for which it is more pleasant than repentance that lasts a long time; because in the latter case there is no such warmth in the heart of the penitent.”

The elder remained in prayer until morning. Then, having betrayed the honest body of blessed Taisia ​​to the earth, he came to the skete, where he told the fathers about everything that had happened. Having learned about everything that had happened, the monks glorified and thanked Christ God for His great mercy. To Him - the true God - glory is sent to the ages. Amen.

5. ^ John Kolov is a famous Egyptian ascetic. See his life under November 9th.
6. ^ Death of St. Taisii followed in the 5th century.

 


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