Euthymius the Great

Venerable Euthymius the Great was one of the great fathers of monasticism in the Judean desert. He founded lavras and monasteries, brought a whole tribe of Arabs to the faith, and raised disciples such as Venerable Sabbas the Sanctified. He reposed in the year 473, at the age of ninety-⁠six.

Early life and calling

He was born in 377 at Melitene in Lesser Armenia. His parents, Paul and Dionysia, had no children and prayed long for a son in the church of the holy martyr Polyeuctus. When he was born they named him Euthymius, meaning good cheer and gladness. He was brought up by the bishop of the city and ordained priest while young, receiving the care of the monasteries nearby.

Longing for a life of stillness, at the age of twenty-⁠nine he went to Jerusalem. After venerating the Holy Places he settled in the lavra of Pharan, and then withdrew with his friend, Venerable Theoctistus, to a cave in the desert.

Father of the desert

A community gathered around them, which Euthymius entrusted to Theoctistus, withdrawing ever deeper into the desert. He healed the son of an Arab chieftain, and the chieftain, with many of his people, received baptism. This man later became a bishop for the Arabs who lived in tents.

In 428 he founded the lavra that bears his name. He held firmly to the faith of the Council of Chalcedon, and through his counsel Empress Eudocia returned to the Orthodox faith. His disciples honoured him as a father full of gentleness, gifted with foresight and caring for every soul.

Repose and veneration

He reposed on 20 January 473. His Life was written by Cyril of Scythopolis, who knew his disciples. He is commemorated on 20 January.