bohairic.life.shenoute_01 Chapter 1

A few of the miracles and wonders which God performed through our holy father, the prophet Shenoute the Presbyter and Archimandrite, which the holy Apa Besa, his disciple, chronicled for the glory of God.

And a boon to all who will hear them and give glory to God at any moment, but more so on the day of his commemoration, wihch is the 7th of the month of Epep, in the peace of God, amen.

I shall begin to tell about the miracles and wonders which God performed through our blessed father Apa Shenoute, the ones which I saw with my own eys, I, Besa, his disciple, and also the other things that our holy father Apa Shenoute said to me with his mouth, in which there is no guile.

I will now recount a few of them to you.

Come and we will reveal to you now the miracles and the wonders which God worked through my elder father.

For many days I have been troubled and disturbed, fearing to go forward into the miraculous deeds of my father Apa Shenoute, as I am weak and unskilled in speaking, for fear that I should drown in a sea of water because I don't know how to swim.

I owe a great debt, but the creditor is not disturbed in his deeds.

For my father Apa Shenoute, the one of good remembrance for whom we celebrate today is worthy of words for his good deeds, his asceticism, conduct and virtue to be marveled at, and the great incredible signs which were brought about by him which are like those of the holy prophets and the apostles of the Lord.

There was a village called Sehnalolet in the region of the city of Shmin, and in it lived the righteous parents of our blessed father.

And Apa Shenoute's father was a farmer in that land, he had a few sheep and he gave them to a shepherd to be responsible for them in the field.

The shepherd said to Apa Shenoute's father: “give the boy Shenoute to me so that he can look after the sheep with me and I will give you a little of my wages for him.”

Then the little boy Shenote began to grow in the grace of God which dwelt inside him and bit by bit grew beautiful.

The boy Shenoute's mother said to the shepherd: “Here, I will give you my boy, but send him to me in the evenings every day, since he is my only child and I rejoice to God with him day and night.”

And the shepherd said to them: “I will send him up to you every day before the sun sets.”

Then finally the shepherd took the boy Shenoute and he watched over the sheep with him, and when evening came every day the shepherd would send the boy Shenoute to his parents to the village.

But Apa Shenoute would always hurry down to a water cistern a little outside the village and it was the month of Tobi in those days, and so he would spread his hands out and pray with the water coming up to his neck.

And when light came out every day the little boy's mother and his father would quarrel with the shepherd saying: “Why didn't you send our son to us in the evening?

We worry lest something bad might happen to him.”

Then the shepherd would say to his parents: “in truth, I send him to you in the evening every day.”

But one day the shepherd went after the little boy Shenoute until he reached the water cistern.

And there was a sycamore tree next to the water cistern.

Then the boy hurried down to the water and prayed up towards God with his hands spread up to the sky.

But the shepherd stood behind him and hid behind the sycamore until he saw what the boy was going to do.

And the shepherd was witness, saying “I saw the ten fingers of the little boy becoming as ten flaming lanterns, and so I turned back and went to my sheep.”

“And when it was morning,” he said, “his father came and quarreled with me again saying ‘why didn't you send my son to me in the evening?'.

I said to him: ‘Take your son back, no, I am not worthy of him staying with me.'

And his father took him to his home.”

These are the things that the shepherd said, which he testified to us.

And 10 days after this happened, his father took him to the holy Apa Pjol, in order for him to receive a blessing from him.

But while they were still on the way, they approached the place of the holy Apa Pjol, with about a mile to reach it, there was a crowd of nobles of the city of Shmin with him, while he was teaching them the things that were good for their soul.

The holy Apa Pjol said to the people who were sitting with him: “Get up, let us get out of the way of the Archimandrite.”

And the holy Apa Pjol got up with the other people who were sitting with him and they went away.

And after Apa Pjol reached Apa Shenoute, he took Apa Shenoute's hand.

Apa Shenoute raised it upon his head and said: “Bless me my father, the archimandrite.”

And after they went inside they sat down.

Now there was a man sitting with Apa Pjol who has an unclean spirit upon him, and after the little boy saw the spirit that was inside the man, he stretched out his hand and took a little sounding board and began to strike the demon that was inside the man.

And the evil spirit cried out saying: “I will run away from you, o Shenoute, for indeed since the moment that I saw you, fire has gnawed upon me.”

And at that moment the spirit withdrew from the man and he was well, and he praised good God.

Apa Pjol told the little boy Shenoute: “Wait until the moment arrives, my boy.”

And it happened after these things that Apa Pjol spoke with Apa Shenoute's father, saying: “let the little boy stay with me this week and you will come back for him.”

For the mother of Apa Shenoute was the sister of Apa Pjol, children of (the same) father and mother, and he left him with him.

And after the evening of that day had come, Apa Pjol went into a room to sleep by himself.

And the little boy Shenoute also went into a room to sleep by himself.

But Apa Pjol raised his eyes up to the sky and saw an angel of the Lord watching over the little boy Shenoute as he slept.

And the angel said to Apa Pjol: “When you get up early, put the clothes that you will find before you on the little boy Shenoute.

For they are the clothes of Elijah the Tishbite, which the Lord Jesus has returned to you so that you put them on him, for verily he will become a righteous and chosen man and there will be no one like him after him to arise in all these parts.

He will build a monastery, and he will become a jewel and a protector for anyone who will come before his place, and his church will remain for generations.”

And Apa Pjol got up in the morning and took the clothes which he found before him, and he called Apa Shenoute and put them on him, making him a monk under him.

But after Apa Pjol and the boy Shenoute had been together with each other for a few days, they went out walking together, and Apa Pshoi from the monutain of Psoou was walking with them too.

As for the latter, he too was a holy man who walked in the ways of God.

And as the three of them were walking, Apa Pjol, Apa Shenoute and Apa Pshoi, a voice came to them out of the sky saying: “Shenoute has been appointed archimandrite of the whole world today.”

Apa Pjol said to Apa Pshoi: “My brother Pshoi, did you hear this voice that came out of the sky now?”

Apa Pshoi said to Apa Pjol: “Yes.”

Once they had confirmed the message between themselves, apa Pjol proposed, ‘Let's ask the young Shenoute what he heard.'

They turned to him and asked, ‘Did you hear the same voice from heaven?'

‘Yes, I heard it,' Shenoute affirmed.

‘And what exactly did you hear?' asked apa Pjol.

Shenoute, without hesitation or pretense, answered: ‘I heard, ‘Today Shenoute has been appointed archimandrite of the whole world.'

Apa Pjol and apa Pshoi were very surprised and gave glory to God. They said: ‘He will indeed be entirely perfect!'

After receiving the angelic garment sent to him from heaven, the revered apa Shenoute devoted himself entirely to the ascetic life, marked by intense toil, countless night vigils, and innumerable fasts.

He refused to eat during daylight hours, waiting until sunset, and even then refrained from satisfying his hunger. His diet consisted solely of bread and salt.

As a result, his body became emaciated—his skin taut and clinging to his bones. Shenoute modeled his entire life and purpose after Elijah the Tishbite, the charioteer of Israel.

Because he was always so dedicated in his work, he became a guide for all—young boys and elderly men alike.

His commitment to Christ was evident in his constant reading of Scripture, which earned him widespread respect; his teachings, cherished like honey by those yearning for eternal life, were pleasing to all who heard them.

He offered numerous interpretations and reflections rich in sacred instruction.

He crafted monastic guidelines and composed letters, instilling both fear and encouragement in his listeners.

Everything he spoke came from a place of sincerity. As he once said: ‘None of my words are my own; there is nothing I speak that Christ has not given me.'

He enhanced his life with exemplary devotion to monastic discipline, rigorous self-denial, and countless practices of ascetic rigor.

He is said to have prayed a dozen times daily, each session involving twenty-four full prostrations.

Through the night he remained awake until dawn.

Only then would he allow himself minimal rest—just enough to prevent physical collapse.

On many occasions, he abstained entirely from food for an entire week, from one Saturday to the next.

During the forty days of Easter, he refrained even from bread.

He sustained himself instead on greens and soaked grains. As a consequence, his body was emaciated.

He wept so frequently and with such intensity that tears were, for him, a source of sweetness; his eyes sank deeply into his face, resembling holes in a wall, and the constant weeping darkened them to a deep black.

Throughout his life, the presence of God was unmistakably with him.

While he remained in the monastery, he would witness a vast number of transgressions occurring across the world.

He had the remarkable ability to discern the thoughts and actions of all who approached him.

In response, he would intercede in prayer on their behalf, seeking their salvation and hoping they might obtain divine mercy before Christ's judgment.

On one occasion, a man from the village of Psenkhout, near the city of Psoi, came to visit my father, the prophet Apa Shenoute.

Burdened with deep sorrow, the man sent a message to my father, pleading: ‘O holy father, I seek your blessing. Perhaps through your intercession, God in his mercy will grant me forgiveness, for I carry many sins.'

Apa Shenoute was informed of the man's words.

He instructed the messenger to return with this reply: ‘Tell him: if you are willing to follow my instruction, then you will see me. But if you refuse, I shall not reveal myself to you.'

The man responded, ‘I will do as you say, my master and father, in every matter you command.'

Then Apa Shenoute said, ‘Bring him to me.'

When he approached my father, he prostrated himself and offered greetings.

My father, apa Shenoute, addressed him: ‘Confess your wrongdoing openly before us, so that you may be shown where your path leads.'

The man responded, ‘One day I was sitting near the threshing floor of my village when someone passed by on a mule.

He wore a money pouch tied with a leather strap around his neck.

I noticed it and, driven by greed, I grabbed my sword, pursued him, and struck him down. I searched the pouch, expecting to discover a large sum in gold that would allow me to live in ease for years.

But there was only a single coin inside.

I buried the body, concealed the deed, and made my way here, holy father.

Tell me what I must now do so that the Lord may grant me mercy and pardon my transgressions.'

Then the righteous prophet apa Shenoute instructed him: ‘You cannot remain here. Rise and go swiftly to the city of Šmin.

There you will find the duke, who has just arrived from upriver and is receiving his people. Some bandits who plundered a prominent citizen of Šmin will be surrendered to him, and his anger will be fierce.

Join them, and when they say to the duke, ‘This man was among us,' and he questions you, respond, ‘Yes, it is true.' He will order your death with the others, and in this way, you will enter the everlasting life of God.'

The man departed at once, obeying apa Shenoute's instruction. He joined the captured thieves, and the duke beheaded him along with the rest. In this way, the mercy of God was fulfilled, just as my father had said.

On one occasion, the revered Cyril summoned my spiritual father, Apa Shenoute the prophet, along with Apa Victor the archimandrite, because of matters concerning the heretic Nestorius.

After they arrived in the imperial capital, Apa Shenoute, our righteous father, was walking within the royal palace and noticed a discarded grain of wheat.

He picked it up and tucked it into the pouch of his goatskin garment, keeping it safe until he was back at his monastery.

Once the king had granted them leave to return to their respective homes, my father, Apa Shenoute, went to board a ship with the holy bishops—Abba Cyril and Apa Victor. However, told him he could not board alongside the archbishop.

For the junior attendants did not recognize him.

He replied, ‘If that's the case, then let the will of the Lord be done!'

He and the disciple who accompanied him withdrew a little way and began to pray. Standing apart, he called out, ‘My Lord Jesus Christ, how long until you bring me back to my monastery?'

While he pondered this, suddenly a radiant cloud descended from the heavens. It lifted both him and his disciple into the sky and carried them away.

As the bishops' ship reached the open sea, Abba Cyril looked up and saw Apa Shenoute and his disciple being borne aloft in the midst of the cloud. He exclaimed, ‘Bless us, holy father, you are the new Elijah!'

Apa Shenoute answered, ‘Do not forget me, O my holy father.'

And with that, the cloud continued on its way and brought him safely home to his monastery.

For it was the summer at that time.

As the brethren were milling wheat for bread, one of them cast under the stone the grain he had brought back from the royal court and placed it beneath the millstone.

At that moment, the Lord caused an overwhelming quantity of flour to pour forth—so much that the brothers could not possibly collect it all.

Worn out and unable to keep pace with the abundance, they began to voice their frustration.

My holy father apa Shenoute then approached the millstone, placed his palm branch upon it, and declared, ‘Millstone, I command you—stop!'

Instantly it obeyed, halting just as he had spoken. This took place according to the authority of my father, the prophet and servant of God, apa Shenoute, whose mighty acts rival those of the earliest prophets and apostles. His life was full of righteous deeds and miraculous works, brought about through the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit within him.

After Archbishop Cyril had returned to his own city, he sent a message requesting the presence of my father, apa Shenoute, and questioned him: ‘While you were seated upon the cloud, how long did it take you to arrive at your monastery?'

In response, my father said with humility, ‘My lord, I am not worthy to speak of such a matter.'

But Abba Cyril pressed him: ‘I beg you, by the intercession of the saints, reveal to me what took place.'

So Shenoute answered modestly, ‘Since you compel me, I shall tell you: I reached the monastery the very day we spoke together—you disembarked from the ship, and I descended from the cloud—and that evening I was already with the brethren, gathered for worship.'

Archbishop Cyril and apa Victor the archimandrite were both deeply struck by this revelation. Together they glorified God, who alone performs wonders through his saints—those who obey his will and place their faith in him.

After this, my father, apa Shenoute, took his leave and made his way back to the monastery.

The Lord responded, ‘Beloved Shenoute, I will not bring you any sorrow.'

He then departed from him.

Not long afterward, at God's command, the area was transformed as water filled the place, and a ship was seen gliding over the newly formed sea.

The Lord himself appeared as the ship's captain, and angels assumed the roles of the crew.

The vessel sailed forward until it reached the spot where apa Shenoute stood in prayer. Then the Lord called out to him, ‘Take hold of the rope!'

He extended his hand and received the rope, but found no anchor point.

Looking around, he approached a jutting section of the rock, grasped it with his fingers and thumb.

Instantly, the stone gave way, pierced as effortlessly as wax before a flame. He threaded the rope through the opening and fastened it.

Instantly, the stone gave way, pierced as effortlessly as wax before a flame. He threaded the rope through the opening and fastened it.

That hole remains visible in the stone to this day, a lasting testimony for all future generations.

There was a time when the brethren were laboring in a well that was being excavated within the monastery grounds. While they worked, the adversary set a trap: the structure collapsed, trapping the workers inside.

One of the monks who had been helping with the excavation ran to inform our father apa Shenoute. He rose at once, took up his palm-branch, and made his way to the site. Stretching out his hand, he drove the branch into the side of the well.

Immediately, it took hold and began to sprout, producing shoots and leaves. The workers, sustained by the fruit it bore, ate of it. From that day forward, the well remained fixed in place and has never shifted.

On another day, our Savior appeared and was speaking with my father apa Shenoute. I, Besa his disciple, came near, desiring to see the one who was with him.

At once the Savior withdrew.

When I entered, I received a blessing from my father.

Afterwards I asked my holy father, ‘Who was speaking with you just now, and where did he go?'

He replied, ‘It was the Lord Jesus Christ himself, speaking to me in divine mysteries.'

I said, ‘I long to see him, that I too might receive his blessing.'

My father answered, ‘You will not see him, for you are still a young boy.'

I said, ‘I am a sinner, my holy father.'

He replied, ‘no, but your heart is not yet strong.'

I said to him while crying, ‘Show me mercy, my father, so that I too may be worthy of seein him.'

My father responded, ‘If you come to me tomorrow at the sixth hour, you will find me again seated with him, look and don't speak at all.'

The next day, following his instructions, I entered at the appointed time and knocked according to the custom so I might enter and receive a blessing, and the moment I entered, the Lord withdrew.

I wept and said, ‘I am not worthy to behold the Lord in his body.'

My father consoled me, saying, ‘He will bring peace to your heart, Besa, my child, and you will come to know his sweet voice.'

And on that occasion—though I did not merit it—I heard him conversing with my father, and from that moment, I have given thanks for it all the days of my life.