Saint Barsanuphius of Gaza
Also known as
- Barsanofio
- 11 April
- 6 February (Greek calendar)
Profile
Hermit for 50 years in absolute seclusion near the monastery of Saint Seridon of Gaza, Palestine. Wrote against Origenists. Greatly venerated by the Greeks. Extensive correspondent whose letters have survived 15 centuries.
- c.540
- relics taken to Oria, Italy c.850 by an unnamed Palestinian monk
- the basilica where they lay was destroyed by the Saracens between 924 and 979 and the relics lost
- relics re-discovered in 1170 after Father Mark, who rebuilt the church, had a vision of their location
- relics interred in the crypt of San Francesco da Paola Church in Oria, Italy having been donated to Saint Theodosius of Oria due to his diplomatic work
- some relics in a village near Sipontum in southern Italy
- armed with a sword, confronting the commander of a Spanish force about to invade Oria, Italy
- spreading his cloak over Oria, Italy to cause it to rain heavily and save the town from Allied bombing in World War II
Readings
Do not seek to be regarded as somebody, don’t compare yourself to others in anything. Leave the world, mount the cross, discard all earthly things, shake the dust from off your feet. – Saint Barsanuphius
MLA Citation
- “Saint Barsanuphius of Gaza“. CatholicSaints.Info. 12 January 2024. Web. 2 May 2024. <>