Our Holy Father Ammon of Nitria
Commemorated October 4
Saint Ammon of Egypt was raised in Christian piety. He entered into marriage at the urging of his parents, but by agreement with his spouse preserved his virginity and they lived as brother and sister. The spiritual spouses pursued asceticism in fasting, prayer and joint effort for twenty years. Having matured in piety, the spouses separately continued their ascetic deeds. Ammon's wife remained home and established a women's monastery. Ammon went out into the Nitrian desert, where he dwelt for twenty-two years and attained the high spiritual accomplishments of wonderworking and discernment.
St Ammon often came to St Anthony the Great (January 17) for his blessing. At the time of St Ammon's death, St Anthony saw angels bearing the soul of the righteous one to heaven. St Ammon died in the mid-fourth century.
Troparion
In thee, O father, was manifestly preserved what is in the image of God, for having taken up thy cross, thou didst follow Christ, and by thine own example hast taught that the flesh is to be despised as transient, but that particular care should be bestowed on the soul, as a thing immortal; wherefore, together with the angels, rejoiceth also thine, O holy Ammon, spirit.
Kontakion
Having divinely armed thyself with the purity of thy soul and unceasing prayers firmly grasping as a spear, thou, our father Ammon, hast pierced the armies of the demon; supplicate unceasingly for us all.
Source: Crkveni Kalendar
