Saint Euthymius Biography

Saint Euthymius was a Christian ascetic and founder of monastic centers in the Palestine region, one of the most important forms of Christianity. He was known in his time for his austerity of life and his miracles. Committed to Orthodoxy, as it had been determined by the Ecumenical Synods, he fought heresies, especially that of Monophysitism. His memory is commemorated in East and West on January 20.

Euthymius was born in Melitini, Armenia in 377 during the reign of Byzantine Emperor Gratian. He was an only son and his parents named him Euthymius to thank the god who gave them this cheerfulness. At the age of three he was orphaned by his father and his widowed mother entrusted his upbringing to the local bishop Eutroios. He trained him well and at the age of 28 ordained him an elder.

In 406 Euthymius went to Jerusalem and became an ascetic in the cave of Agios Theoktistos. According to his biographer Cyril the Scythopolitan, his great spiritual gifts quickly distinguished him and his fame as a Saint spread far and wide. Many Saracens (Arabs) became Christians, while several heretics, such as Manichaeans, Nestorians and Eutychians, returned to the orthodox faith. Even the Byzantine empress Eudokia (408-450), who was leaning towards Monophysitism, was forced to break all ties with him when she was convinced by Euthymius’ argumentation. Many monks gathered around him, who proclaimed him their abbot.

Euthymius had the gift of miracles, according to the synaxarists. Once, with a few loaves of bread, he managed to feed 400 people who visited him on the same day in his cell. By his prayer, women who were barren had children and the thirsty land of Palestine was watered by the abundant rain and reaped.

Saint Euthymius the Great fell asleep in old age on January 20, 473. The Church for his personality and his contribution to Christianity proclaimed him Great. In the Byzantine iconography, Saint Euthymios is shown with a sufficiently long beard.