St. Thomas the Hermit’s Glorification | تمجيد الأنبا توماس السائح

Saint Thomas of Shenshif (Shenshif) was born in the Akhmim region to pious parents who loved God and raised him according to the teachings of the Church. His heart was inflamed with love for God, and as he inclined toward a contemplative life, he went to a nearby mountain to practice his spiritual exercises. He loved prayer and hymn-singing with his melodious voice, was serious in his asceticism until he eventually ate only once a week, memorized the Holy Scriptures to follow its commandments, and lived its Gospel joyfully.

The fragrance of Christ emanated from him, and some brothers living on the mountain would come to join him in some prayers.

One day, as he began chanting his psalms, he turned behind him and saw three men in white garments singing with him, their voices like the voices of angels. The saint rejoiced in the Spirit, singing all night while they were with him. Eventually, he realized they were three monks from the Monastery of Saint Anba Shenouda.

Saint Anba Shenouda, the Archimandrite, came to him in his cave on Mount Shenshif. Anba Thomas said to him, “I will depart from you, and the Lord has told me that you will join me in a few days.” Indeed, the time came for Anba Thomas to leave this transient world after a long spiritual struggle, during which he enjoyed the gift of healing the sick in the name of the Lord. The Lord of Glory appeared to him, granting him His peace, comforting and strengthening him.

He peacefully departed in old age in the year 453 A.D. (probably 27 Bashans, 168 A.M.).