October 21
Hilarion (291–371)
Monk
He was born in Tabatha, Palestine, and Saint Jerome, who was his biographer, praises him for having introduced the way of life of the desert fathers in the country of Christ and in the neighboring countries.
Biography
He himself had thus trained in Thebaida at the school of Saint Anthony, “the father of all monks.” After returning to his homeland, Hilarion settled in a swampy area seven miles from Gaza. There he spent thirty years, lonely, unknown and happy, despite frequent temptations. Two miraculous cures he performed attracted attention to him. His disciples became more and more numerous, so much so that after a few years there would be anchorites in all the deserts of Palestine and Syria. Hilarion ruled them for three decades, traveling non-stop, revered by all, until the day he decided to go into hiding again. Due to the miracles that occurred in his path, it was difficult for him to hide until Aesychius, his faithful disciple, discovered a solitary and rugged place on the island of Cyprus, where Hilarion could live out his last years and die in peace.
Practical advice
When collecting your heart in silence, set aside ten minutes of silence to treat God as a friend without leaving for tomorrow the good that you can do today.