OUR VENERABLE FATHER PIMEN THE ILL

(7/20 AUGUST)

As we prepare to relate the life of St Pimen, let us note that we shall learn about his severe sufferings and observe an example of unmurmuring endurance of illness here. We will learn how to endure physical illnesses courageously, with thanksgiving, and we will see how God’s strength is accomplished in illness.

St Pimen was born ill into this world and he grew up being ill. The physical illness did not make him spiritually ill; it helped to preserve him from illness of the soul. He was pure of all vice and, from his mother’s womb, he knew no obscene sin. Many times, he begged his parents to give him over to a monastery, so that he could receive tonsure into the angelic image. However, his parents loved him dearly and did not want to part with their son.

Once, the health of the blessed man became worth. It appeared as if he was nearing his death and the parents despaired to save his life. Compelled by the misfortune, the parents brought their son to the Cave Monastery and asked the holy fathers to pray the Lord to heal him. Despite their fervent prayers, the fathers could not help him for his own prayers overweighed theirs. The youth did not ask God for health but, on the contrary, the saint prayed for the continued illness. St Pimen knew that if he became well, his parents would take him away from the monastery and prevent him from accomplishing his desire.

Once at night, while his parents and servants were asleep, radiant angels came in. Some of them looked as beautiful youths; others were in the image of an abbot and monks carrying candles in their hands. They also brought a Gospel, a hair shirt, a mantle, a cowl, and everything necessary for tonsure. They asked him, ‘Do you want us to tonsure you?’

The blessed-one replied with joy, ‘Yes, I do! I do wish it! God has sent you, my lords. I pray you, fulfil the desire of my heart.’

They began to ask him questions following the Order of the Service for Monastic Tonsure. Thus, they tonsured him into the great angelic image, clothed him in a mantle and a cowl, and named him Pimen. As it is customary, they gave him a burning candle and said, ‘Let this candle burn for forty days and nights.’ Moreover, they foretold that his suffering would be permanen, and that he would receive health only as a sign of the day of his repose. Having completed all this, they kissed him, took the cut of hair from his tonsure in a cloth, and went to the church. They deposited the wrapped hair onto the coffin of St Theodosius.

The brethren in nearby caves heard the sound of chanting voices. They awakened the others, assuming that the ill-one had reposed, and that the abbot and the brethren were chanting the appropriate hymns. They all came together to St Pimen’s cell.

When they arrived, the brethren found that everyone but St Pimen was still asleep. The room was filled with fragrance and the ill saint was awake, vigilant, and rejoicing. He was vested in monastic clothing. The brothers asked in amazement, ‘Who tonsured you? How is it that we heard such chanting and yet your parents and servants are still asleep?’

The ill saint responded, ‘The abbot came with some brothers; they tonsured me with the name of Pimen. They did the chanting that you heard and they gave me this candle to burn for forty days and nights. They took my hair in a cloth and set out for the church.’

The brothers went to the church immediately. They found the church door locked. Having wakened the sextons, they inquired if anyone had entered the church since Compline. The sextons assured them that no one had. As the ecclesiarch kept the keys, they awakened him and he unlocked the church door. The monks were amazed to find the cloth with St Pimen’s hair lying on the coffin of St Theodosius. The abbot made a diligent search and questioned everyone to find out who could have tonsured St Pimen. He found no one, and the brethren came to understand that the tonsure had been done by God’s providence, through the Lord’s holy angels.

The abbot and brethren deliberated whether they could consider the tonsure as regular. Since they had the testimony of the tonsured hair found on St Theodosius’ coffin, as well as the unusual candle the abbot and brothers acknowledged the validity of the tonsure and said to Pimen,

‘It is sufficient, Father Pimen, that you have received the monastic image and name from God Himself. But tell us what did your tonsurers look like? Did they omit anything from the rite of tonsure?’

St Pimen replied, ‘Why do you tempt me, Father? You yourself came with the brethren and served the service over me from these very books. Moreover, you also told me that I would live my whole life in illness and would become healthy only just before my departure. And now, I ask you to pray for me, Holy Father, that the Lord grants me patience.’

In accordance with the prophecy, St Pimen was lying in a heavy and very abominable illness for many years. The monk assigned to care for him could not tolerate his presence; he repeatedly left the saint without food or water for two or three days at a time. The saint man endured all his sufferings joyfully and thanked God for everything.

Once, another ill man was brought to the monastery and tonsured. The abbot placed him in St Pimen’s cell so that the two could be served together. Often, however, the service was neglected and both ill monks were left without care. They suffered from thirst and, at length, St Pimen said to his fellow sufferer, ‘Brother, since those who are supposed to care for us abhor us, would you fulfil this service if the Lord healed you?’

The sick monk promised that if he were healed, he would serve the ill fervently until his death.

The saint continued, ‘Lord relieves you from your illness. Now, that you have your health, keep to your promise. As for those who are neglectful of such a service, the Lord will bring an illness upon them for their own improvement and salvation.’

The ill monk immediately got to his feet healthy and began to serve St Pimen. The monks who had neglected their duties did indeed become ill. The healed monk served the saint zealously at first; but in some time he got weary of the stench and became revolted by St Pimen’s horrible illness. Once, he left the blessed man without food or water and fell asleep in another cell. Soon, he was struck by a burning illness and lost all his strength. He could not get up and had to lie on his bed enduring a terrible thirst. He cried out, ‘Save me, for the Lord’s sake, I am dying of thirst.’

The monks heard the cries and hurried to the rescue. Later, they informed St Pimen of the monk’s illness, ‘The father who served you is dying.’ The saint responded, ‘For as a man sows, so shall he reap’ (Gal. 6, 7). Since he left me without food and drink, he received the same; for he lied to God and despised my weakness. However, the Lord has taught us not to return evil for evil, so go and tell him to come, say, ‘Pimen is calling you; arise and go.”

When the ill one heard the words, he suddenly felt healthy, rose up and went to the saint’s cell. St Pimen admonished him saying, ’Oh man of little faith! Now you are healthy. See that you do not sin again. Do you not know that the ill and the one who serves him will have an equal reward, for the patience of the poor will not perish unto the ages? For, those who receive grief and anguish here, will have joy and rejoicing there, where there is no illness, no grief, and no sighing but eternal life. I endure all this, brother, for the sake of that promise. God Who healed you of your illness, can also raise me from this bed and heal my illness. However, I myself do not desire this, for the Lord said, He who endures until the end will be saved (Mt. 10, 22). It is better for me to decay completely in this life and gain an imperishable flesh in the future life.’

Instructed by such admonitions of the saint, the monk was deeply moved and from that time on he constantly served St Pimen. The valiant sufferer and a worthy imitator of St Job, sent his thanksgivings up to God and spent twenty years of suffering in bed.

At last, it was time for the saint’s repose. On that day, St Pimen rose up healthy as the ones who tonsured him had foretold it.

Just before the Divine Liturgy, the saint went round to all the monks who were ill and said, ‘My friends and brethren! Arise and accompany me.’ And immediately their illnesses vanished, they rose up and followed their benefactor. He went to the church and partook of the Divine Mysteries; then he took his funeral cot, carried it to the cave, where he wished to be buried and showed the place to the brothers. He fell silent for a while and then, turning to the brethren, he solemnly said, ‘Now, brethren, here come those who tonsured me in order to take me with them.’ Following these words, he lay down on the bed and reposed in the Lord. The brethren buried him with honour, giving glory to the Lord, Who is wondrous in His saints. To Him be glory, honour and dominion, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen!