Saint Paphnutius, who practiced asceticism in one of the monastic hermitages of Egypt, recounted the journey during which he encountered Saint Onuphrius as well as other desert hermits. He set out on his journey with the desire to discover whether there were monks who served the Lord with even greater strength and perseverance.
He first met the hermit Timothy, who was speechless at the sight of him, being deeply absorbed in prayer. Timothy shared moments from his life, explaining how he had left the monastic community to live as a hermit and to serve God. He also described the trials he endured, including temptations, demonic attacks, and illnesses, and how God healed him miraculously each time.
Desiring to imitate Timothy, Paphnutius continued his journey into the desert until he encountered Saint Onuphrius. After four days of steady travel, he discovered a cave in which the saint stood, deeply immersed in prayer, beseeching God with tears. Saint Onuphrius had lived in the desert for sixty full years. He explained how he had departed from the monastery, how he survived, and how the angels of God cared for him, bringing him food and water.
Saint Onuphrius said that each month he was nourished by the fruits of the trees and water from a nearby spring. He also told him that an angel of the Lord brought him the Holy Communion every Saturday and Sunday. At the end of his life, he asked Saint Paphnutius to return to Egypt and to recount all that he had learned about the lives of the ascetics.
The holy elder fell asleep in the Lord, leaving Paphnutius his blessing.
Paphnutius buried him with great honor and, realizing that it was God’s will to return to the world, he went back to his brethren to share all that he had seen and heard.
