The Venerable Bessarion the Great, wonderworker, of Egypt (466)
Bessarion was born and educated in Egypt. He dedicated himself to the spiritual life at an early age and “did not stain the spiritual garment in which he was clothed at Baptism.” He visited St. Gerasimus by the Jordan and learned from St. Isidore of Pelusium. He subdued his body through extreme fasting and vigils, but concealed his asceticism
from men as much as possible. He once stood at prayer for forty days, neither eating nor sleeping. He wore one garment in both summer and winter. He possessed the great gift of miracle-working. He did not have a permanent dwelling place but lived in the mountains and forests until deep old age. He healed the sick and worked many other miracles for the benefit of the people and to the glory of God. He reposed peacefully in the year 466.
