Auxentius of Bithynia

Saint Auxentius was a hermit born in Syria around 400 and fell asleep on 14 February 473 on Mount Scopas, also called Mount Auxentius, in Bithynia near Chalcedon. He defended the faith of Chalcedon. He is commemorated on 14 February.

He was born in Syria into a noble family of Persian descent and received a good education. He came to Constantinople, served in the guard of Emperor Theodosius II, and was known as a virtuous, learned and wise man, friend of many pious men. Around 442 he entered a monastery in Bithynia, took the habit, and was ordained deacon and then priest. Then he withdrew into a cave on Mount Oxia near Chalcedon, later called Mount Auxentius. The place of his labours was found by shepherds looking for lost sheep. The report spread and the sick began to come to him. In the name of God Auxentius healed many, giving sight to the blind, cleansing lepers, raising the paralysed and driving out demons. He was deeply humble and said: "I too am a sinful man." So that the wonder would not be ascribed to him, he called those present to pray together, or strengthened people's faith, or said over the sick person: "The Lord Jesus Christ heals you."

According to his Life, in 451 he was called to the Fourth Ecumenical Council at Chalcedon, where he rebuked the heresies of Eutyches and Nestorius, though his name is absent from the council's acts. After the council he returned to his cell on the mountain. Among his spiritual children were women who made a small convent at the foot of Mount Scopas, called "trichinarioi", nuns in hair garments, and they had the honour of keeping his relics. According to the Life, in 459 he saw with the spirit, from afar, the repose of Saint Symeon the Stylite. He fell asleep in 473, or around 470 according to other sources, leaving disciples and many monasteries in Bithynia. Among his disciples was Vendemianus of Bithynia, who lived forty-⁠two years on a cliff near his cell. A monastery bearing his name rose on the place of his labours, an important monastic centre. His relics were in Constantinople, in a church of the Resurrection, where Anthony of Novgorod saw them in 1200. He should not be confused with Auxentius of Mopsuestia, Auxentius of Milan or Auxentius of Durostorum.