Orthodox Icon of Saint Onuphrius

Saint Onuphrius Please do not deep-link to any of our icons.

June 12th
Troparion (Tone 1)
In the flesh you lived the life of an Angel, you were a citizen of the desert and a treasury of grace, O Onuphrios adornment of Egypt. Wherefore we honour your struggles as we sing to you: Glory to Him Who has strengthened you; glory to Him Who has made you wonderful; glory to Him Who through you works healings for all.

St. Onuphrius lived in the desert in deep ascetisim for over sixty years. He had been led to his desert home by his guardian angel. In the beginning, he struggled with many demons and ate earth to survive. Once St. Onuphrius had conquered the demons through prayer, an angel brought him bread to eat, a palm tree grew and bore fruit, and a spring began to flow. So strong was his desire for an ascetic life, that he wore nothing but a loin cloth. His body was covered in thick hair to keep him warm. Shortly before St. Onuphrius died in the year 400, a monk Paphnutius visited him and asked him how he took Holy Communion. The saint simply said that an angel of God brought him Holy Communion every Saturday. The day he died, St. Onuphrius told Paphnutius that it was his last day on earth, knelt down and prayed, then gave up his spirit. A great light illumined his body and a host of angels was heard. The monk Paphnutius buried him in the proper way and returned to his monastery where he told all he knew of St. Onuphrius. It is only through Paphnutius that we know of anything about St. Onuphrius.

This Icon is an ancient Georgian icon.

Order #pdi-21