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Thursday, November 12
Prophet Ahijah the Shilonite
Sinaxarion

Holy Venerables

Barontius and Desiderius

Two monastic saints remembered together in Western calendars; few details survive.

Uncertain source. We are looking to verify this information as soon as we can.

Feast
March 25old style April 7
Era
unknown
Order
Venerables

Life

Barontius and Desiderius were hermits in Italy in the eighth century. Barontius was a French noble of Berry. He married and had children. He was a member of the court of King Theuderic. With his son he entered the monastery of Saint-⁠Cyran-⁠en-⁠Brenne.

According to the text Visio Baronti Monachi Longoretensis, probably written by Barontius, in the year 678 he had a vision of heaven and hell. In the vision he flew over the city of Bourges. Demons tried to drag him down to hell. With the archangel Raphael he then passed through four levels of heaven. Then Raphael asked another angel to bring Saint Peter, so that Barontius might be judged. The demons presented all the evidence of his sinful life. Peter found the demons annoying and drove them away. Then Peter decided to send Barontius back to earth, through hell.

This vision persuaded Barontius to go as a hermit to Pistoia. There he became friend and fellow monk of Saint Desiderius. Their feast is on 25 March. They are honoured as saints of the undivided Church.

Commemorated the same day March 25