St.
Sisoes was renowned for his wisdom, repentance, his faith in God and
particularly for his humility. Through his labours, St Sisoes humbled himself
immensely and God gifted him with a wealth of grace so that he was able to heal
the sick, drive out unclean spirits and even resurrect the dead while being a
source of living wisdom for monastics and laymen who came to him for counsel
and advice. He is commemorated by the Church on July 6, passing from this life
in 429 AD at very old age. He was a solitary monk, pursuing asceticism on the
mountain of St. Anthony the Great and prior to that for a long time in the
Scete of Nitria.
Abba
Sisoes although extremely strict with himself was very merciful and
compassionate to others and received everyone with love. If necessary would
break his personal fast with guests, especially if they had travelled a
distance to see him. To those who visited him, the saint first of all always
taught humility. When a monk told him that he has a constant remembrance of
God, St Sisoes remarked, "That is no great thing, my son, but it is a
great thing to regard yourself as inferior to everyone else. This leads to the
acquisition of humility." To another brother he said: “He who knowingly
possess humility fulfils the whole of Scripture”
Abba
Sisoes also stressed the importance of repentance and trusting in God’s mercy
and willingness to forgive. When a brother asked, "I have fallen, Abba;
what shall I do?" The elder said to him, "Get up again." The
brother said, "I have gotten up again, but again have I fallen." The
elder said, "Get up again and again." So the brother asked, "How
many times?" The elder replied, "Until you are taken up either in
virtue or in sin."
His
humility and Abba Sisoes longing for repentance was epitomised by the manner of
his departure from this life. When he lay upon his deathbed, the disciples
surrounding the Elder saw that his face shone like the sun. They asked the
dying man what he saw. Abba Sisoes replied that he saw St Anthony, the
prophets, and the apostles. His face increased in brightness, and he spoke with
someone. The monks asked, "With whom are you speaking, Father?" He
said that angels had come for his soul, and he was entreating them to give him
a little more time for repentance. The monks said, "You have no need for
repentance, Father" St Sisoes said with great humility, "I do not
think that I have even begun to repent." After these words the face of the
holy Abba shone so brightly that the brethren were not able to look upon him.
St Sisoes told them that he saw the Lord Himself. Then there was a flash like
lightning, and a fragrant odour, and Abba Sisoes departed to the Heavenly
Kingdom.
St.
Sisoes is today well known for his depiction in an icon which became popular
upon its appearance in Greek monasteries following the fall of the Byzantine
Empire in 15th Century. This icon, the "Astonishment of Sisoes", is a
contemplation on death, but not only the death of a man, but of an earthly
empire.
The
icon shows St. Sisoes over the dead bones in Alexander the Great ’s open tomb
and with the following inscription:
"SISOES,
THE GREAT ASCETIC, BEFORE THE TOMB, OF ALEXANDER, KING OF THE GREEKS, WHO WAS
ONCE COVERED IN GLORY. ASTONISHED, HE MOURNS FOR THE VICISSITUDES OF TIME AND
THE TRANSCIENCE OF GLORY, AND TEARFULLY DECLAIMS THUS:
'THE
MERE SIGHT OF YOU TOMB, DISMAYS ME AND CAUSES MY HEART TO SHED TEARS, AS I
CONTEMPLATE THE DEBT WE, ALL MEN, OWE. HOW CAN I POSSIBLY STAND IT? OH, DEATH!
WHO CAN EVADE YOU?"
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