Venerable Elias

Life

An Egyptian monk of the fourth century. From his earliest youth he devoted himself to monastic ascetical labors in the desert, so that by his life and powerful miracles he drew the admiration of both monks and laymen, and though he fled from the glory of men, he could not hide. He had great battles with the temptations of the devil, especially during prolonged fasting. The devil would present to him now honey, now beautiful apples, but he did not allow himself to be deceived. He saw into the hearts of men and divined each one's passion and each one's thought — not in order to display his mysterious knowledge, but in order to correct people.