Venerable Doulas was a monk, distinguished for his humility and gentleness. He prayed for his enemies and endured persecution for twenty years, showing patience, living in prayer, and never surrendering himself to anger.
The devil, seeking to distract him, incited a monk to steal certain sacred vessels from the church. The other monks of the community suspected Doulas, who at that time was ill and had not attended the morning Divine Liturgy. They dragged him by force into the church and demanded that he would admit the disrespectful act.
Though innocent, the saint asked for forgiveness. They stripped him of his monastic garments and subjected him to cruel tortures. He, however, continued to declare his innocence with courage. The governor of the city, unable to find any evidence, ordered that his hands be cut off.
At that moment, the man who had committed the theft was seized with fear, repented, and confessed his guilt to the abbot. The latter hurried to the governor and asked for Doulas’s release.
Three days later, the saint departed to the Lord, attaining the peace of the heavenly Kingdom.
His body was found seated on his knees. The monks realized their grave mistake and acknowledged his holiness. They decided to honor him annually, glorifying him for his patience and humility.
