Barsanuphius
Barsanuphius the Great | |
|---|---|
Russian Orthodox icon of Saint Barsanuphius | |
| Desert Father, Venerable | |
| Died | c. 545 Monastery of Seridus |
| Venerated in | Eastern Orthodox Church Roman Catholic Church |
| Major shrine | Oria |
| Feast | February 6 (Eastern Orthodox) April 11 (Roman Catholic) February 20, August 29, and August 30 (Oria) |
| Attributes | Monastic vestments, holding a scroll |
| Patronage | Oria, Italy |
| Influences | Sayings of the Desert Fathers |
| Influenced | Seridus of Gaza, Dorotheus of Gaza, Theodore the Studite |
Barsanuphius (Greek: Βαρσανούφιος, romanized: Barsanouphios; Arabic: برسانوف, romanized: Barsanūf; Italian: Barsonofio, Barsanofrio, Barsanorio; died after 543), also known as Barsanuphius of Palestine, Barsanuphius of Gaza or Barsanuphius the Great (in Eastern Orthodoxy), was a Christian hermit and writer of the sixth century. He is considered one of the Desert Fathers.
Together with John the Prophet, they gave spiritual direction and advice to a variety of people in the region through letters, of which over 850 have been preserved and influenced especially Orthodox monasticism. Barsanuphius is venerated as a saint in both the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Roman Catholic Church.