Venerable Achilles

Saint Achilles (Akhillás) was an anchorite of the desert during the V century.

Saint Νikόdēmos of the Holy Mountain writes: "It is said of Saint Achilles in the Evergetinós that he once went to Abba Isaiah, and found him eating something which he had mixed with salt and water on a plate. When the Elder saw that he was hiding it behind some plaited reeds, he said, "Tell me, what are you eating?"

Abba Isaiah replied, "Forgive me, Father. I was cutting palm leaves and I went out in the heat. I put some into my mouth, with some salt, but the heat burned my throat and I was unable to swallow. So I had to add some water to the salt in order to swallow. Forgive me, Father."

Saint Achilles called the other monks and said, "Come here, Brothers, and behold Abba Isaiah eating sauce in Skḗtis. If you wish to eat sauce, go to Egypt!"

An Elder who came to see Abba Achilles found him spitting out blood from his mouth. He asked him what was wrong, but he did not respond. Finally, he said, "The word of a brother grieved me. I struggled not to tell him so, thus I prayed that God would remove from me the remembrance of that word. Then the word became as blood in my mouth, and I spat it out. Now I am at peace, and I have forgotten my sorrow."

Saint Achilles reposed in peace.

In the third Troparion of Ode One of the Canon for Saturday of Cheesefare Week, Saint Achilles Is mentioned along with Saint Ammoun: "Achilles and Ammoun, the flowers of the desert."