Saints

Isidore of Pelusium, Abbot

(5th Century) Feast day: Feb. 4

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Isidore was born in Alexandria and left the city as a youth to join a monastery in Lychnos, near Pelusium. He was eventually ordained to the priesthood and later became abbot of the monastery. He was known for his religious devotion and the thousands of letters that he wrote. Some 2,000 letters of pious exhortations and theological discourse and instruction are still in existence. It is believed that he may have written more than 10,000 letters during his lifetime, He was a vigorous opponent of the Nestorian heresy. Two of his great writings, Adversus Gentiles and De Fato have not survived. Cyril of Alexandria was one of his greatest admirers.

(This item originally appeared in The Providence Visitor)