19 July 2024 (MIA)

Macedonian Orthodox Church Calendar

The Monk Sisoi the Great

The Monk Sisoi the Great (died 429) was an hermit-monk, pursuing asceticism in the Egyptian wilderness in a cave sanctified by the prayerful labours of his predecessor – the Monk Anthony the Great. For his sixty years of wilderness deeds the Monk Sisoi attained to sublime spiritual purity and he was vouchsafed a gift of wonderworking, such that by his prayer he even once returned a dead lad back to life. Extremely strict with himself, the Monk Sisoi was very merciful and compassionate to those nearby and he received everyone with love. Those, who visited him, the monk first of all always taught humility. To the question of one of the monks as to how might he attain to a constant mindfulness of God, the monk remarked: “That is still not of much consequence, my son, but more important is this – to account oneself below everyone else, because such disparagement assists in the acquisition of humility”. Asked by the monks, whether one year is sufficient for repentance in having fallen into sin against a brother, the Monk Sisoi said: “I believe in the mercy of God the Lover-of-Mankind, and if a man repent with all his soul, then God wilt accept his repentance in the course of three days”. When the Monk Sisoi lay upon his deathbed, the disciples surrounding the elder saw that his face did shine. They asked the dying man what he saw. Abba Sisoi answered that he looked upon the prophets and apostles. The disciples asked with whom did the monk converse? He said that Angels had come for his soul, and he had entreated them to give him a short bit of time yet for repentance. “Thou, father, hast not need for repentance,” – replied the students. But the Monk Sisoi, with his great humility, answered: “I do not know for sure whether I have even begun to make my repentance”. After these words the face of the holy abba shone so, that the brethren were not able to look upon him. The monk had time to tell them that he saw the Lord Himself, and his holy soul expired to the Heavenly Kingdom.

Catholic Calendar

St. Remigius Isoré

Eldest son in a pious family. His father taught primary school, one brother became a priest, one sister joined the Daughters of Saint Vincent de Paul. Remigious felt a call to the priesthood from an early age. Entered Saint Francis School in 1865 at age 13 and the seminary at Cambrai in 1871 at 19. Taught primary school at Roubaix in 1873 at age 21. In 1876 at age 24 he entered the Jesuit novitiate at Saint Acheul, and was soon assigned to teach high school at La Providence. Beginning in 1881, he felt a call to missionary work, and was assigned to work in China. He arrived in Xian, Hebei in 1882, and spent year learning Chinese. Ordained on July 31, 1886 at the Xian Cathedral. Taught at the public school in Zhangjiazhuang. Dean of the school at Guangpingfu. Parish priest of Zhoujiazhuang, Wei Country. Martyred during the Boxer Rebellion. One of the Martyrs of China. He was born on January 22, 1852, in Bambeque, France and died martyred on June 19, 1900 at Wuyi City, Hebei, China. Pope Pius XII beatified him on April 17, 1955. Pope John Paull II canonised him on October 1, 2000.