Publius of Egypt

Holy Venerable Publius of Egypt struggled in the Egyptian desert in the time of the emperor Julian the Apostate (361-363).

Before the campaign against the Persians, the emperor sent a demon to scout the road he was to take with his army. Venerable Publius foresaw the emperor's plan in the spirit. He stood in prayer with raised hands and, praying so day and night, blocked the devil's way. For ten days the evil spirit waited for the venerable one to finish his prayer; unable to wait, it returned to the emperor and confessed its defeat. Angry at Publius, Julian swore to take revenge on him on returning from the campaign, but he did not get to keep his oath, because he soon died. After his death one of his commanders gave his property to the poor and received tonsure as a monk from the hands of Venerable Publius.

St Publius is commemorated on 18 April, in the new style.