Venerable Ammon

Saint Ammon of Egypt was raised in Christian piety. He entered into marriage at the urging of his parents, but by agreement with his spouse preserved his virginity and they lived as brother and sister. The spiritual spouses pursued asceticism in fasting, prayer and joint effort for twenty years. Having matured in piety, the spouses separately continued their ascetic deeds. Ammon’s wife remained home and established a women’s monastery. Ammon went out into the Nitrian desert, where he dwelt for twenty-two years and attained the high spiritual accomplishments of wonderworking and discernment.

Saint Ammon often came to Saint Anthony the Great (January 17) for his blessing. At the time of Saint Ammon’s death, Saint Anthony saw angels bearing the soul of the righteous one to heaven. Saint Ammon died in the mid-fourth century.