Ginbot 13 — May 21

Saint Arsenius, the Wise and Quiet Teacher

Today we remember a holy father named Arsenius (say it: ar-SEE-nee-us). He grew up long ago in the great city of Rome, in a family that had lots of money. His parents loved God, and they taught him all the stories of the Church. When he was older, he became a deacon, a helper in church who serves God's people.

Arsenius loved to learn. He went to a city called Athens and studied many things. He learned about the sun, the moon, and the stars, and how they move across the sky. He became one of the wisest men of his whole time. But best of all, he kept loving God while he learned.

A kind king named Theodosius (say it: thee-oh-DOH-shus) was looking for a very wise and good man to teach his two sons. Everyone said, "Arsenius is the wisest!" So Arsenius came to live with the king and became the teacher of the two princes, Honorius and Arcadius. He worked very hard to help them grow up good and wise.

One day, deep in his heart, Arsenius felt God calling him to a quieter life, a life of nothing but prayer. He heard a gentle voice say his name. So he left the busy palace behind and traveled far away to a quiet desert called Scete, to live among the monks who give all their days to God in prayer.

In the desert, Arsenius prayed and prayed. He learned to keep silence: he chose to stay quiet and listen to God instead of chatting all day. Someone once asked him why he was so quiet, and his answer is famous:

Many times when I have spoken I have been sorry, but I was never once sorry that I had kept silence.— Saint Arsenius

A Gentle, Hard-Working Saint

Arsenius was gentle and humble. He worked with his hands every single day, and whatever he earned he gave away to people who were poor. He wrote helpful words to teach others how to love God. When he went to church, he would quietly hide behind a pillar so no one would notice him. He never wanted people to praise him; he just wanted to please God.

God loved Arsenius and let him see things others could not, and many gentle miracles happened through his prayers. He had a kind, happy face and a long beard. He lived to be one hundred and five years old! He spent his years praying in the desert and in quiet monasteries, always close to God.

When at last he was very old, Arsenius died in peace, like someone falling gently asleep. He teaches us a beautiful lesson: it is good to be quiet sometimes, to listen for God, and to share what we have with others.

Salutation to Arsenius, the wise and quiet friend of God.