Saint of the Day – 21 April – Saint Anastasius Sinaita (Died c700) Abbot, Exegesis, writer, a staunch Defender of the One True Faith in all its Truths. Born in Alexandria and died at his Monastery on Mount Sinai. Also known as – Anastasius the Sinaite, … of Sinai.
The Roman Martyrology reads today: “At Antioch, St Anastasius Sinaita, Abbot.”
Anastasius’ life, between the 7th and 8th Centuries, unfolded between Alexandria and Mount Sinai, where he led a community of Monks on the path to perfection.
His tireless pen gave rise to works of polemical and exegetical discourse, combating the heresies of the time with the wisdom of the patristic tradition.
Among his writings, his ‘Guide Against Monophysitism’ is highly esteemed, rich in quotations, which testify to his vast erudition. The ‘Commentary of the Hexameron’ of which only the last book has survived intact, offers an allegorical interpretation of Genesis from a Christological perspective.
The ‘Questions and Answers’ although not in their original form, offer a glimpse of his profound knowledge of Sacred Scripture and the Church Fathers.
Five surviving Sermons allow us to grasp his eloquence and pastoral fervour.
On 20 April, in the Emperor Basil’s Calendar, St Anastasius is mentioned who, overcome by the love of Christ, left the world and, having gone, firstly to Jerusalem, then retired to Mount Sinai, where he lived humbly until his death, after having guided many Hermit Monks on the path of virtue. This Eulogy is passed into the Martyrology of Constantinople on 21 April.
AnaStpaul 