Saint Piamon the Virgin
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Saint Piamon the Virgin
Piamon was a virgin who lived all her days with her mother in a village in Upper Egypt. She spent her nights in constant vigil. She ate one meal, at the evening and laboured at the weaving of linen. She was held to be worthy of the gift of knowing what was going to happen before it happened.
There was once a fight between the people of her village and those of another village. The two villages quarrelled with each other concerning the division of the waters “of the Nile”. They fought so violently that frequently murders were committed and men from each village were beaten to death.
The village which was stronger than the village of this virgin rose up against it in fierce wrath. They planned a surprise attack against the inhabitants of her village. The angel of the Lord appeared unto Piamon and revealed to her what the evil men had planned secretly. She sent and called the elders of the church of her village and told them everything. She asked then to go forth and meet the inhabitants of the other village before they all perish.
The elders of the village were afraid and they fell down and begged her to go herself and spare the village and her own house. The virgin was not willing to go forth but she went up upon the roof and stood up there in prayer the whole night long. She made bowing and entreaties to God, saying, “O Lord, when the prayer of your handmaid reach You, let Your power transfix the enemy in the spot wherein they are.”
It actually happened that on that very day, at a distance of three miles from the village they became fettered and stood still, being unable to move from the spot. It was also revealed unto them that they were hindered from moving by the supplication of that virgin the Saint.
They immediately sent to the inhabitants of the village and made peace with them. They also sent a message, saying, “Give grateful thanks to the Lord God, for it was the prayers of Piamon which prevented us from coming against you.”
May the blessings of this great saint be with us all. Amen
