The Lives of the Saints, Volume 02 (of 16): FebruaryBaring-Gould, S. (Sabine)
Religion
The Lives of the Saints, Volume 02 (of 16): February
Baring-Gould, S. (Sabine)
Christian saints
yet fearing lest he should recognize her, and it would prove a
hindrance in her path, and willing to comfort him, she said, "Believe
me, God will not despise thy groaning. If thy child were living in
wickedness, God would shew thee the way to her, that thou mightest
pluck her away. No! trust God, she has chosen the better course, and
is serving God somewhere. He is able to lead thee to her. Be of good
courage, He will reveal her to thee some day." Then she said "Go,
sir!" And as he retired, she grew deadly pale, and tears flowed from
her eyes. But he was full of comfort, and he said to the abbot, "I go
comforted as though to-day I had seen my child." And he returned home
magnifying the Lord.
Now after Smaragdus had lived thirty-eight years in the cell, she fell
sick, and knew that she must die. And when, on a certain day, as was
his frequent custom, Paphnutius came to the monastery, and asked to
see Smaragdus, the abbot bade that he should be conducted to the cell.
But when he found that Smaragdus lay sick, he kissed him, and weeping,
said "Woe is me! where are all the promises, and sweet hopes, that
thou didst give me, of seeing my daughter again? Not only do I not see
her, but thou in whom I have found some consolation, thou goest away,
and there is none left to be the comfort of my old age. For thirty and
eight years I have lost my daughter, and nothing has been revealed to
me concerning her, though I have prayed for her night and day." And
when Smaragdus saw the old man's distress and tears, he said, "Be of
good courage, is the hand of the Lord shortened, that He cannot
perform what is promised? Lay aside thy sorrow. Remember how Joseph
was revealed by God to the patriarch Jacob, who bewailed him as one
dead. But I pray thee, tarry here three days, and leave me not." So
Paphnutius remained beside him three days, for he said, "May be, the
Lord will reveal somewhat to him;" and he was all that while full of
anxiety. And on the third day he said, "I have waited, my brother!"
Then Smaragdus knew that he should not survive that day, and he said
to Paphnutius, "Draw near to me." And he drew near. Then said
Smaragdus, who is also Euphrosyne, "Because the Almighty Lord hath
brought me to the end of my contest, not by might of mine, but by His
help, there remaineth to me the crown. And now I would not have thee
troubled about thy daughter--I am thy daughter, Euphrosyne, and thou
art my father, Paphnutius. And now I pray thee, (for none know that I
am a woman), when I am dead, do thou, my father, wash and lay me out
for my grave, and pray for me." And when she had said this, she gave
up her soul. And it was the first of January.
[Illustration: S. EUPHROSYNE FINDING HERSELF AT DEATH'S DOOR, MAKES
HERSELF KNOWN TO HER FATHER.
From the "Menologium Græcorum" of Cardinal Albani. Feb. 11]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account