The Book of Saints and Heroes - Tapa dura

Travellers in Egypt during the third and fourth centuries after Christ must have been surprised at the large number of monasteries scattered about in desert places, and the quantities of little cells or caves cut in the rock, which formed the dwellings of hermits. In those times each lonely anchorite lived as pleased him best, or rather, as he thought best for his soul; but, of course, when many of them dwelt in the same house, this was not possible, and certain rules had to be made. In almost the very earliest of the monasteries, built a long way up the Nile, the monks wero allowed to do as they liked about fasting, but were forced to work at some trade which would be of use to the brethren, or else, by the sale of the goods made, would enable them to support themselves. So in the house at Tabenna we find that among the thirteen hundred monks there were basket-makers, gardeners, carpenters, and even confectioners, though probably these last were obliged to seek a market among the inha

Table of Contents

The First of the Hermits 1; The Roses from Paradise 11; The Saint with the Lion 19; Synesius, the Ostrich Hunter 35; The Struggles of St Augustine 50; Germanus the Governor 65; Malchus the Monk 86; The Saint on the Pillar 95; The Apostle of Northumbna 107; St Columba 126; Brendan the Sailor 141; The Char771 Queller 155; Dunstan the Friend of Kings 166; St Margaret of Scotland 1S5; St Elizabeth of Hungary - 196; Saint and King 215; Tfie Preacher to the Birds 241; Richard the Bishop 261; Colette 277; The Apostle of the Japanese 290; The Servant of the Poor 315; The Founder of Hospitals 326; The Patron Saint of Eiujland 33S

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