Ammoun of Nitria

Venerable Ammoun, founder of monastic life in the desert of Nitria.

Venerable Ammoun was an Egyptian of the fourth century who, married against his will, persuaded his wife to live with him in chastity and later withdrew to the desert of Nitria, where he became the father of a great multitude of monks. A friend of St. Anthony the Great, he reposed in peace; tradition relates that Anthony saw his soul carried up to heaven.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Ammoun of Nitria is commemorated on December 7. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on December 20 of the civil calendar.

Also commemorated on December 7

• 

  Ambrose of Milan

  Hierarch, Αμβρόσιος

  Archbishop of Milan, one of the four great Latin Fathers.

  Name days: Amvrosios, Ambrose, Ambrogio

• Athenodorus of Mesopotamia

  Martyr, Αθηνόδωρος

  Holy Martyr Athenodorus of Mesopotamia.

  Name days: Athinodoros, Athenodorus

• Gerasimos of Euripos

  Venerable, Γεράσιμος ο εξ Ευρίπου

  Venerable Gerasimos from Euripos in Euboea.

• Gregory of Grigoriou

  Venerable, Γρηγόριος ο Σιναΐτης ο Ειρηνικός

  Venerable Gregory, founder of the Monastery of Grigoriou on Mount Athos.

• Philothea of Arges

  Holy Woman, Φιλοθέη του Άρτζες

  Holy Philothea of Thrace, protectress of Romania.

• Paul the Obedient

  Venerable, Παύλος ο Υποτακτικός

  Venerable Paul the Obedient.