Commemoration of Saint Sarapamon The Veiled
On
this day also is the commemoration of Anba Sarapamon, known as 'The Veiled'
Bishop of El-Monofia. This blessed and great Saint was contemporary of Pope
Petros El-Gawly and one of his famous bishops. God had granted him the gift to
heal the sick, and to cast out evil spirits. He was called Salib. When he was a
young man, some evil women seized him and accused him of murdering a young man
they had killed in the market. In the court, he lifted up his heart to God and
with tears, he asked the help of St. Mary and other saints. He looked to the
slain person and asked him to confess before the judge who killed him. The
slain person rose up and told the judge about the murderesses. The judge was
astonished and set Salib free. Salib left the court and went immediately to St.
Antonios monastery to become a monk, and later on, the Pope chose him a Bishop
for El-Monofia. When Mohammed Ali Basha asked the Pope's help concerning his
daughter Zahra Hanem who was possessed by evil spirit, he sent Anba Sarapamon
who healed her by praying over her. Mohammed Ali offered him money, but he
refused to say that God's gifts are free. When the Governor insisted he asked
for supplies and clothes for the monks in the monasteries, and to reinstate the
Copts to their jobs in the government.
May
his prayers are with us, and glory is to God forever. Amen.
