Saint · 480
Benedict of Nursia
Venerable Benedict of Nursia († 543)
New Calendar March 14 Old Calendar March 27
Why they are a saint
His name, Benedictus, means “Blessed” in Latin. He was born in 480 in Nursia, a small town northeast of Rome. He had only rudimentary schooling: he wrote later of his fear that through book-learning he might ‘lose the great understanding of my soul.’ At an early age he fled to a monastery where he was tonsured; he then withdrew to a remote mountain, where he lived or several years in a cave, perfecting himself in prayer.
Life
Saint Benedict, founder of Western monasticism, was born at Nursia in Italy in 480. Sent to Rome to study at fourteen, he was troubled by the immorality around him and withdrew. The hermit Romanus tonsured him and directed him to a remote cave at Subiaco, where for three years he struggled against temptations and overcame them.
Disciples gathered to him in such numbers that he divided them into twelve communities of twelve monks, each with its own igumen. His strict Rule was not accepted by all, and he was criticized and abused by dissenters. At last he founded the monastery of Monte Cassino. He was granted the gifts of foresight and wonderworking, healed many by his prayers, and foretold the day of his death in 547. The main source for his Life is the second Dialogue of Saint Gregory.
Sources: OCA Lives of the Saints. Retold in our own words.
Traditional patronage
The cited source names no specific patronage.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Orthodox Christians usually take Benedict of Nursia as a patron when they bear the name Benedict at baptism, or were born or baptized near the feast on March 14. As a monastic, he is also asked for help in prayer, fasting, and repentance.
Prayer
O holy Benedict of Nursia, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.