St. Orsisius

Feastday: June 15
Death: 380

Hermit and writer, also called Orsiesius. A follower of the famed St. Pachomius in the desert hermitages of Egypt, he assisted the great cenobitic leader in drafting the rules to be adopted by the communities of early monks. He then succeeded Pachomius as head of the cenobites at Tabennisi, although he was forced to step down for a brief period. St. Jerome also translated into Latin Orsisius' treatise on ascetical theology.

Orsisius (in Greek Arsisios, local name Oresiesis-Heru-sa Ast) was an Egyptian monk and author of the fourth century. His memorial is June 15.

Biography

He was a disciple of Pachomius on the Island Tabenna in the Nile. When Pacomius died (348), Orsisius was chosen as his successor; but he resigned in favour of Theodore. It was not till Theodore's death (c. 380) that Orsisius, advised by St. Athanasius, accepted the abbatial office of hegumen.

Writings

Theodore and Orsisius are said to have helped Pachomius in the composition of his rule; Gennadius mentions another work:

Oresiesis the monk, a colleague of Pachomius and Theodore, perfectly learned in the Scriptures, composed a Divinely savoured book containing instruction for all monastic discipline, in which nearly the whole Old and New Testaments are explained in short dissertations in as far as they affect monks; and shortly before his death he gave this book to his brethren as his testament.

This is supposed to be the work "Doctrina de institutione monachorum" translated by St. Jerome into Latin Migne prints after it another work attributed to the same author: "De sex cogitationibus sanctorium", which, however, is probably by a later Oresius.

Sources

•  Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Orsisius". Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.