Piamoun

The holy virgin Piamoun lived in Egypt in the fourth century. Her life is recorded by Palladius in the Lausiac History. Her father died when she was very young, and her Christian mother raised her with the discipline and admonition of the Lord. When she grew up, she and her mother engaged in works of mercy and compassion; they were not wealthy, but from their meager income they helped their poor and weak brethren.

She ate a little food in the evening and kept constant vigil at night. She labored at weaving linen and was found worthy of the gift of foresight. One day a village in Upper Egypt attacked another over a quarrel about sharing the waters of the Nile, and many men were killed. That village then moved stealthily against the saint's village with staves and spears, intending to kill the inhabitants. An angel of the Lord told Piamoun of the attack, and she called the priests of her church: "Go out to meet them, or you and the village will perish. If you beg them not to attack, perhaps they will spare the village." The priests were afraid: "We do not dare, for we know their ferocity and arrogance. If you wish to save the village and your house, you go out." The virgin did not go out; she went up to her roof and stood all night in prayer, making many bows, asking God to immobilize the enemy where they stood, three miles from her village. At once they were paralyzed and could not advance. It was revealed to them that the prayers of Piamoun hindered them, so they sent word to the villagers that they wanted peace and that they should thank God for her prayers.

After her mother's death, Piamoun continued alone to minister to her suffering brethren, visiting their homes, comforting them and strengthening their faith. She reposed in 337, and there was great mourning in her village. She is commemorated on 3 March (new style; 16 March on the old calendar).