Rabban Hormizd

Born to devout and wealthy Christian parents (named Joseph and Thekla) in Beth Laphat in the Sixth Century, Hormizd was sent to a Christian school at the age of twelve to learn the Faith. After six years there, having memorized the Psalms and the New Testament, he began to yearn for the life of a monk. He made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, and then journeyed to Mosul where he met three monks who brought him to the monastery of Rabban Bar Idta in Marga. There Hormizd joined the community of 264 men and lived with them the pious life of the monastery. After 39 years of prayer, fasting and service, during which time he is said to have performed miracles, healed the sick and cast out demons, he departed from his brother monks and dwelt in a cave near Elqosh, where the people welcomed him and he again healed many of the sick. In his years there, many monks joined him and they built a new monastery, where he welcomed orphans and all the distressed, aiding them by the grace of Christ. He afterward journeyed throughout the whole region, preaching the Gospel and performing great works in defense of the Faith. Returning at last to his monastery, he summoned all his brother monks and addressed them one last time with words of peace and encouragement. He was 85 years old when he died, and his remains are said to be under a church dedicated to him.