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Icon of St. Romuald, abbot
Feast: June 19
In his youth Romuald lived a
dissipated life, but seeing a man killed in a duel he became sober in
mind and took the habit at St. Apollinaris in Classe. Only three years
later, he withdrew to lead the life of a hermit nearby. Upon his
advice, the doge of Venice, Peter Urseolus, took the habit (later
attaining sanctity also), and a new monastery was built where St. Peter
retired. The saint has left us a brief rule for monks:
"Sit in your cell as in
paradise. Put the whole world behind you and forget it. Watch over your
thoughts like a good fisherman watching for fish. The road you must
travel on is the Psalms--never leave it. If you have just come to the
monastery and, in spite of your good will, cannot accomplish what you
wish, take every opportunity to sing the Psalms in your heart and to
understand them with your mind. And if your mind wanders as you read,
do not give up; hurry back and apply your mind to the words once more.
Above all, realise that you are in God's presence, and stand there with
the attitude of one who stands before the Emperor. Empty yourself
completely and sit waiting, content with the grace of God like the
chick who tastes nothing and eats nothing but what his mother brings
him."
Holy Father Romuald, pray to
God for us!
Top Icon: of unknown
provenance.
Final Icon: by the hand of Fr.
Hieromonk Cassien, Greek Old-Calendarist hermitage, Clara, France.
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