Venerable Abramius the Recluse, and his niece, Blessed Mary, of Mesopotamia
Saints
Blessed Abraham, the son of pious parents, loved from his youth to visit churches and listen to the word of God. Contrary to his desire, he entered into marriage, but on the seventh day after the wedding, feeling the grace of God, he secretly left his home and settled in a hut, withdrawing from the vain world.
His parents, grieving over his disappearance, found him after seventy days, and, seeing him in prayer, were astonished. Abraham asked them not to disturb him and to remain in silence for the love of God. He lived in solitude for fifty years, having nothing but what was necessary for life.
In a nearby pagan village, no one could turn the inhabitants to God. The bishop, remembering Blessed Abraham, decided to make him a priest for that village. Despite his resistance, Abraham agreed to obedience and went to the village.
Upon arriving there, he saw people possessed by demons and wept bitterly. Abraham built a church, praying for the salvation of the pagans. They tried to expel him, but he continued to pray and preach, enduring sufferings and humiliations. After three years, thanks to his patience and love, all the villagers believed and were baptized.
After a year of teaching, fearing to become attached to earthly things, Abraham left them, praying for their preservation in faith. He again went into solitude, where he continued his ascetic feats.
Blessed Abraham had a brother who had a single daughter, Maria. She, becoming an orphan, came to her uncle, who took care of her. However, succumbing to temptation, she sinned and, in despair, left him, changing her appearance.
Abraham, learning of her fall, wept bitterly and prayed for her. After two years, knowing where she was, he came to her, pretending to be a traveler. Seeing her, he wept and, embracing her, began to urge her to return to God. Maria, repenting, returned to her uncle, and Abraham, seeing her repentance, rejoiced.
Blessed Abraham lived another ten years, finding comfort in Maria's repentance, and died at the age of seventy. His body was venerated, and many were healed of diseases. Maria, after his death, continued to live in prayer and repentance, and, truly repenting, peacefully departed to the Lord.
