Venerable Emilian

Life

He was born in Rome and committed many grave sins in his youth. But when he came to his senses and sobered from his sinning, he trembled at the very thought of the Judgment of God. He entered a certain monastery, and by fasting, vigil, and obedience tamed and mortified his body. In every good endeavor he was an exemplary model for his brethren. He often went out of the monastery at night and made his way to a nearby cave for prayer. Not knowing where he was going, the abbot of that monastery secretly followed him one night. And the abbot saw Emilian standing in prayer with fear and weeping. Suddenly a heavenly light, more powerful than the sun, illumined that entire mountain, and especially that cave and Emilian. And a voice was heard from heaven: Emilian, thy sins are forgiven thee! The abbot was seized with awe and fled to the monastery. The next day he told of everything he had seen and heard the previous night. And Emilian was held in great honor by the brethren, and he lived long, and reposed in the Lord.