The Venerable Pambo

Life

An Egyptian and an ascetic on Mount Nitria. A contemporary of Saint Anthony the Great, he was himself great in monastic asceticism. He was known especially for two qualities: that through long practice he had so bridled his tongue that he never uttered a single superfluous word, and that he never ate any bread other than that which he had earned by his own hands through weaving mats. He resembled an angel of God, and his face in old age shone as once did that of Moses, so that the monks could not look upon his face. He never gave a hasty answer to even the simplest question without first praying in his heart and reflecting. Once, Patriarch Theophilus of Alexandria visited the monks of Nitria. Then the monks besought Pambo, saying: "Say an edifying word to the Pope, which would be of benefit to him." The silent Pambo replied: "If my silence does not benefit him, then neither will my words benefit him." Once, Saint Pambo was traveling with monks through Egypt. When they came upon a certain group of people who were sitting as the monks passed by, Saint Pambo addressed them and said: "Rise and greet the monks, that you may receive a blessing from them, for they converse unceasingly with God, and their mouths are holy." This wondrous saint clearly perceived the destinies of people both living and dead. He reposed in the Lord in the year 386.