ABBA PAPHNUTI.

Side by side with the martyrs stand the confessors, who withstood severe trials but did not lose their lives. Consequently they are described as ’martyrs without shedding of blood. ’ One of those confessors, who patiently endured to the end, is Abba Paphnuti, Bishop of the Thebaid. As a youth he contended with himself thus: "If heaven is our real goal, and we are merely travelers and sojourners on this earth, then I should set my heart, from now, on heavenly goals." This contention led him to leave his home town and go to St. Antoni in the desert, ther to become his disciple, soon he became known for his earger - ness and diligence, and his piety, patience and understanding: "a living temple to the Divine Wisdom.".

One day, some of the ascetics in the vicinity, came accusing a brother of theirs of a sin which he emphatically denied. Hearing them arguing vehemently with one another, Abba Paphnuti spoke, saying A man was once walking on the bank of a river, and his leg got stuck in the mire. Some men saw him and came to help, with the purpose * of pulling him out, but instead, they pushed him in deeper. "The accusers realized that this short simile was meant for them and that their argument would only lead them & their brother to graver errors. In humility they sought forgiveness & pardoned their erring brother. Going back to St. Antoni, the brothers related what has happened. Antoni smiled & commented:" This is indeed a man who judges in equity and who understands the depths of the human spirit. ".

Shortly after that Abba Paphnuti was chosen 8c consecrated Bishop of the Thebaid.

When the persecutions of Maximinus flared up, Paphnuti and his people were among the foremost to suffer. He was arrested and subjected to torture. Among other inflictions, his right eye was plucked out, and his left leg broken. Not satisfied with this, his persecutors sent him with a hundred and thirty of his people, to the quarries of Sinai, where they were forced to labor. Under constant use of the whip.

Throughout his sufferings, Paphnuti was a rock of endurance and spiritual strength to his fellow - sufferers. He was constantly encouraging, sustaining, praying with them and for them.

When finally the persecutions subsided, St. Paphnuti was miraculously still alive & he returned to his see where he again resumed his work of edification. And God in His Mercy granted him the power to work miracles; he healed the sick; opened the eyes of the blind; and cast out the evil spirits. Emperor Constantine the Great esteemed him highly and often invited him to the palace, devoutly kissing the orbit of that eye lost for love the Christ. [(19)]Some years later, Paphnuti was one of those chosen to accompany the Patriarch of Alexandria to the great Ecumenical Council of Nicea, where he was most active in upholding the Faith. During the years which followed, he was one of the staunchest and the most steadfast supporters of Athanasius in his lifelong struggle against the Arians.