Born in the Nursia region in Italy in 480 to rich and famous parents. From school, as an “unlearned sage and a reasonable ignoramus”, he ran away to a monastery where the monk Romanus tonsured him. Then he withdrew to a steep mountain, where he remained for 3 years in great asceticism and labor for his soul. When word spread, he fled from that cave. Once, when he was overcome by a demon, in order to avoid the thought of a woman, he rolled naked on nettles and thorns. When they poured him a glass of poisoned wine, he crossed himself over it and it spattered. He saw, healed, cast out evil spirits, healed the dead… He founded 12 monasteries. He later founded the Benedictine order, which still exists in the Roman Church today. He gave up his soul to the Lord peacefully in 543.

Saint Eushimon of Lampsacus. Saint Theognost, Metropolitan of Kiev. Easter Lent.