Synaxarium

On this day, the father Saint Silvanus the Monk departed. This blessed one became a monk in the Monastery of Saint Macarius and walked in virtue, exerting himself with long fasting, much vigil, generosity, and love until he became a great father. God enabled him to see divine visions. He always advised his disciples not to neglect manual work, to give alms from what they had in surplus. One day, a lazy monk among them saw him busy with his disciples working with their hands and said to them, "Do not work for perishable food, for it is written: Mary has chosen the good part which shall not be taken away from her." When the elder heard this, he said to his disciple, "Give the father a book, take him into the church, and lock him in to read, and do not leave any food with him." The disciple did so. When the ninth hour came, the elder and his disciples ate but did not invite the monk. Meanwhile, the monk was staring at the door, waiting for someone to invite him. When hunger increased, he left the church and said to the elder, "Did the brothers eat today?" He answered, "Yes." "Then why did you not invite me to eat with them?" He replied, "You are a man who does not need bodily food; the good portion is enough for you. That is why we work with our hands." The brother realized his mistake, struck his chest in repentance, and the elder said to him, "My son, Mary must have needed Martha, for Martha praised Mary." The brother benefited from this teaching and became diligent in working with his hands and giving alms from his surplus.

This father composed beneficial sayings on spiritual struggle. When he completed his struggle in a righteous old age, God informed him of the time of his departure. He summoned the monks near him, blessed them, and asked them to remember him in their prayers. Then he departed in peace. May his prayers be with us.

On this day, the righteous and pious Aaron, brother of Moses the first of the prophets of the Law, departed. He was from the tribe of Levi. God performed many signs through his hands in the land of Egypt. He and his sons were chosen as priests, and tithes of the children of Israel were ordained for them along with the offerings. When the sons of Korah rebelled against him, God destroyed them by causing the earth to swallow them alive. God was pleased with his good conduct and preservation of the Law, and he departed in peace. To our Lord be glory forever. Amen.

On this day, the Arabs of Upper Egypt raided the wilderness of Saint Macarius the Great and plundered everything in the churches and monasteries. The fathers, the monks, gathered and prayed, interceding through the holy fathers, and the Lord Jesus Christ drove them away and saved the monks from their hands.