Saint Nilus the Elder, also known as Nilus of Sinai, Nilus of Ancyra, Neilos, Nil Postnik (“the Faster”), was a hermit and a great friend, disciple, and supporter of St John Chrysostom. Born in 4th century Constantinople, he was a Byzantine imperial official and may even have been a Praetorian Prefect. Due to the influence of St John Chrysostom, when his children were grown, Nilus and his wife agreed to lead separate lives devoted to God. He became a monk on Mount Sinai with his son Theodulus. His wife and daughter went to a women’s monastery in Egypt.
After a few years on the Mount, Arab raiders abducted Theodulus. Nilus went in search of him and found him in Eleusa in Palestine where the bishop had ransomed him out of slavery and made him the door-keeper of his church. The bishop ordained them both, and the returned to Sinai. For forty years a cave served as their home.
He was a noted author on theological matters. He was known as a theologian, Biblical scholar and ascetic writer, and people of all kinds, from the emperor down, sought his counsel. He warned and threatened people in high places, abbots and bishops, governors and princes, even the emperor himself, without fear.
Nilus died at Ancyra, Galatia in the year 430. His remains were brought to Constantinople in the reign of Justin the Younger, and deposited in the church of the apostles there.
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