Nathanael of Nitria

Venerable Nathanael of Nitria († around 375) lived the ascetic life in the fourth century in the desert of Nitria in Egypt. The time and place of his birth are not known. He resolved to remain constantly in his cell and for thirty-⁠seven years never once crossed its threshold, resisting the devil, who tried to make him depart from the rule he had taken. The year of the ascetic's death is established approximately, on the basis of the account in the Lausiac History, where it is said that the venerable one died fifteen years before Bishop Palladius came to the mountain of Nitria (390-391), that is, around 375. Nathanael is commemorated on 13 March, a movable day, with the Synaxis of all the Venerable Fathers who shone in ascetic struggle, in the new style.