The Departure of St . Poimen, the Anchorite .

On this day also, the ascetic saint, Anba Poimen (Baymon), departed . He was born about theyear 350 A .D ., in one of the cities of Egypt . He had six brothers, John, Jacob, Job, Joseph,Sonosyos, and Abraham . They all agreed to become monks, and they dwelt in a remote place .They forsook the love of the world, they bore the yoke of the Lord Christ, and they lived anascetic life . Once their mother desired to see them, so she came to them, stood outside, and shesent a message for them to come to see her . They replied saying, "You shall not see us except inthe age to come ." She understood their answer and returned to her town .Anba Poimen was a teacher, counselor, and comforter to the old and young men of thewilderness . Whenever tribulation or temptation befell anyone, he would come to him, and St .Poimen would cure him .This father left to us many profitable teachings such as:+ If you see a brother who has transgressed, despair not of him, but wake up his soul, comforthim, and lighten his burden, so that he may rise up from his fall .494+ Teach your heart what your tongue says .+ One of the brethren said to him, "If I see a brother whose conduct is wicked, I do not feelcomfortable to bring him to my cell . On the other hand, if his conduct is good, I rejoice and bringhim to my cell cheerfully ." The saint replied, "If you treat well the brother who is good, then youmust treat that brother whose works are inferior with a double portion of goodness, for he is sickand needs healing ."+ Then he told this brother, "There was a monk in a monastery, who had fallen into atransgression, and he was always weeping, and supplicating God saying, 'O Lord, I have sinnedagainst You, please forgive me .' A voice came to him, 'I have not forsaken you, except when youhave forsaken your brother in the time of his trial .'"+ Anba Poimen also added, "If we cover over the sins of our brethren, God will cover over oursins . And if we make it known, God will do the same of our inequities ."Having finished his days and having arrived at a good old age that was pleasing to God, hedeparted in peace .May his prayers be with us and Glory be to our God forever . Amen .