Aninus the Wonderworker

Life

He was a native of Chalcedon, small of stature like the ancient Zacchaeus, but great in spirit and faith. He renounced the world in his fifteenth year and settled near the River Euphrates in a small cell where he fasted and prayed to God — first under his teacher Maïumas, and after the latter's death, alone. By the power of his prayer he filled a dry well with water, healed the sick of various ailments, and tamed wild beasts. One tamed lion remained perpetually in his service. He was able to see at a distance. When robbers attacked and beat a certain stylite named Pionius who dwelt not far from him — so badly that Pionius was contemplating coming down from his pillar to go and complain to the judges — Saint Aninus saw into the soul of that stylite and his intentions, and sent him a letter by his lion, urging him to abandon his intention, to forgive his attackers, and to continue his ascetic labor. He was merciful beyond measure. The bishop of Neocaesarea gave him a donkey to ease the carrying of water from the river, but he gave the donkey away to some poor man who had complained to him of his poverty. The bishop gave him another donkey, but he gave that away too. Then the bishop gave him a third donkey, but only for use as a water-carrier, on condition that he must keep it and return it. Before his death he saw Moses, Aaron, and Hur coming to him and calling: "Aninus, the Lord is calling thee — arise and come with us!" He revealed this to his disciples and gave up his spirit to the Lord, Whom he had faithfully served. He was one hundred and ten years old when he ended his earthly life.