Heraclambon of Oxyrhynchus

Holy Venerable Heraclambon of Oxyrhynchus was one of four Egyptian ascetics, John, Heraclambon, Andrew and Theophilus, who struggled in the Egyptian desert in the fourth century. They are commemorated on 25 June and 15 December (new style).

The four were sons of magistrates of the city of Oxyrhynchus, in Middle Egypt. They became friends while still at school, and after learning the higher sciences of the world, they were kindled with the desire to gain spiritual wisdom. Resolving to give themselves to the ascetic struggle, they withdrew into the desert, where they came upon a holy man already very old, and lived with him for a year, profiting from his spiritual teaching.

After his death the venerable ones remained in the same place, but settled in different spots. They fed on wild greens and ate only twice a week. Each spent his time in solitude in the surrounding mountains and caves, while on Saturdays and Sundays they gathered for prayer in common and were granted Holy Communion from the hand of an angel of God. After living in this way for about sixty years, they fell asleep in peace. The ascetics were met in the desert by Venerable Paphnutius, who listened to the story of their lives and wrote it down.