Venerable Isaac, Recluse of the Caves

Life

He lived in the time of Saints Anthony and Theodosius. He came to the monastery as a wealthy merchant, left everything and distributed it to the poor and gave himself to the strictest asceticism in a walled-up cell. Saint Anthony himself through an opening gave him one prosphora every other day. Deceived by demons, who appeared to him in angelic light, he bowed down to them, then even to Satan himself, believing it was Christ. From this he became ill, and lay bedridden for two years, after which he recovered and became a more cautious and experienced ascetic, for which reason before the end abundant grace was given to him. He reposed in the year 1090.