The Life of Anba Bishoy, the Perfect Man
The Life of Anba Bishoy, the Perfect Man
An Early Calling:
In one of the villages of Al-Minufiyyah Governorate called Shansha, and in a house of devout Copts, our saint was born in the year 320 AD. Bishoy had six brothers. Their father reposed while they were still young, and their mother devoted herself to raising them in the fear of God.
One night, a vision appeared to the mother, and behold, the angel of the Lord stood before her saying: “For the Lord says to you: Give Me one of your sons to be My servant all the days of his life.” The pure mother answered: “Here are my seven sons before you; choose whom you desire.” The angel stretched out his hand and held the head of Bishoy, who was thin and weak in body, and said: “This one is a good worker for his Master.” The mother replied: “My lord, this one is the weakest in health. Choose one who is stronger to fulfill the divine mission well.” The angel answered: “The power of the Lord is made perfect in weakness.”
[Thus was the divine choice from early childhood for this luminous star, for “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren” (Rom. 8:29)].Departure to the Desert:
Bishoy grew in grace, and at the time appointed by the Lord he departed to the Desert of Scetis at the age of twenty. There his soul found rest in the holy desert because “Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young” (Ps. 84:3).
Bishoy became a disciple in the Scetis of Macarius under his teacher Pamo, who became a spiritual father, teacher, and guide to him. At the beginning of his monastic life, Bishoy spent three years secluded in his cell without seeing the face of any man. In this early solitude, Bishoy received from the Lord spiritual discipline, and his face became filled with radiance and splendor, preparing him for the spiritual fatherhood for which the Lord was preparing him through His holy arrangements and wondrous purposes.
Solitude in the Cave:
After the repose of the great saint Anba Pamo, Saint Bishoy became the companion of Saint John the Short, for both were disciples of the same teacher. They lived for a time in true spiritual love in one place where Saint John planted the tree known as the Tree of Obedience.
Bishoy loved solitude, and his friend John noticed this and said to him: “My brother, I see that you love solitude and are inclined to cleave to God at all times, and I also desire this.” So they agreed together to spend a night in vigil and prayer throughout the night so that the Lord might guide them. When the night ended, the angel of the Lord appeared to them saying: “Let each one of you live alone for the perfection of the dispensation God has appointed for you… and let John remain in this place.” After this heavenly declaration, Bishoy obeyed the divine command and left his place, making for himself a cave near the rock on the southern side, two miles away from his friend. He dwelt there, and this place is the site of his flourishing monastery today.
He used a method to overcome sleepiness: he made a hole in the top of the rock, fixed a peg in it, tied a rope to it, and fastened it to the hair of his head. Whenever his nature inclined to sleep and his head grew heavy, the rope would pull him and awaken him.
The Saint’s Asceticism:
Bishoy was constantly vigilant over his spiritual life. His spiritual discipline was exceedingly active, with continual prayer. He fasted from Saturday to Saturday, eating only bread and salt. He also memorized many of the Holy Scriptures by heart.
Bishoy especially loved the Book of Jeremiah the Prophet, to the point that he was called “Bishoy the Jeremian.” Manuscripts confirm that whenever our saint read this book, Jeremiah the Prophet appeared to him, explaining the verses and comforting him with meditations.
Bishoy was devoted to manual labor, respecting the principle that “he who does not work shall not eat.” Prayer was the chief means that caused him to shine with wondrous light.
The saint persevered in prayer and severe asceticism until the Lord Jesus once appeared to him. He fell on his face, but the Lord raised him up and said: “My chosen Bishoy, peace be with you. I have seen your labor and struggle, and behold, I will be with you.”
Manuscript No. 318 of the Homilies of the Monastery of the Syrians states that Bishoy remained fasting for a long period, and on the twenty-first day the Lord appeared to comfort him, saying: “You have labored greatly, My chosen Bishay.” Anba Bishoy replied: “It is You who labored with me, O Lord; as for me, I have not labored at all.”
The manuscript attributed to Saint John the Short recounts that Satan sought to oppose Bishoy and ensnare him in the love of money. He inspired a wealthy man to bring him great riches. The man came to the desert with camels loaded with gifts, and when he wished to give all these things to Anba Bishoy, Bishoy answered: “The dwellers of the desert have no need of gold, nor should they receive any of it… Go to the villages of Egypt and distribute it among the poor, and God will bless you.”
Bishoy taught his sons saying: “My children, work with your hands so that you may live and have something to give in charity. I received from my teacher that since his entrance into the desert, not one day passed without work, nor did he eat bread from any man. Thus must the monk be diligent and not slothful, so that he may become acceptable before God.”
Appearances of the Lord Christ to Anba Bishoy:
Saint Anba Bishoy is considered one of the saints who beheld the Lord Jesus most frequently. History preserved for us many appearances of the Lord to him. Perhaps the secret lies in the purity of Bishoy’s heart, his kindness, meekness, and love for all. Bishoy is a model of the good, simple, gentle Copt.
The Lord once appeared to Bishoy and said to him: “Do you see this mountain? I shall send you monks who will fill it and worship Me there.” The saint said to Him: “Will You provide for them, O Lord, in this desert?” The Lord answered: “If they love one another and keep My commandments, I shall provide for and sustain them in everything.” The saint asked: “Will You deliver them from all the tribulations mentioned in the Gospel?” The Lord replied: “Whoever fears Me and keeps My commandments, I shall save; and whoever obeys Me, I shall deliver from all his trials.” Then He blessed him and ascended into glory.
The Saint Washing the Feet of Our Good Savior:
Once, while Anba Bishoy was sitting in his cave, the Lord came to him surrounded by His angels and said: “My chosen Bishoy, O venerable elder.” The saint received strength, bowed before Him, took water and washed His feet. The Lord comforted him, blessed him, and then disappeared. Bishoy drank half the water to receive a blessing, and because of his love for his disciple, he kept the remaining blessed water for him to drink and receive a blessing. When the disciple came, the saint told him: “My son, go and drink the water in the vessel inside the cave.” But he refused. The saint insisted, and when finally the disciple went, he found no water in the vessel. When Anba Bishoy explained to him that this water does not remain on earth until now and told him the story, the disciple greatly regretted it.
Anba Bishoy Carrying Our Good Savior:
The fathers in the desert heard of the Lord Christ appearing to His chosen one, Anba Bishoy, and their souls longed for this holy appearance. They informed their guide, and Anba Bishoy asked the Lord to appear to the brethren to comfort them. The Lord promised that He would appear on the mountain at an appointed time. The brethren rejoiced greatly, and before the appointed time the monks hurried to the mountain. While Anba Bishoy was walking behind them because of his old age, he saw an elderly man whose bones had grown weak. He approached him compassionately and offered to carry him. He carried him for long distances without feeling tired, but gradually the burden grew heavier until he could no longer walk. Then he knew spiritually that this elder was the Lord Jesus, the Ancient of Days.
The manuscript says that the Lord smiled at Bishoy and said to him: “Because you carried Me, My beloved Bishoy, your body shall not see corruption.” The saint continued his journey filled with deep joy until he reached the mountain and told the brethren. They grieved because a great opportunity had passed before them.
The Visit of Mar Ephrem the Syrian:
Mar Ephrem the Syrian lived in a cave in the mountains of Syria, worshiping day and night with zeal and greatness. Once while praying at night he said: “Will I find mercy with God like some of the saints?” A voice came to him from heaven saying: “There is an elder in Egypt at Mount Nitria who continually worships God, and he is called Bishoy. You will find favor with God like him.”
The wandering saint arose joyfully, boarded a ship, and came to Alexandria, where he inquired about the saint’s location and knocked at the door of his cave. They sat conversing together. The Syrian elder spoke Syriac, while Anba Bishoy spoke only Coptic. Bishoy sighed and looked toward heaven saying: “I ask You, my Lord, to make me understand what this wanderer is saying.” God opened their minds, and each understood what the other spoke. They conversed about the greatness of God. When Anba Bishoy saw the holiness of this wanderer, he kept him for a week and invited the monks to learn from his virtues and receive his blessing. After Ephrem departed, a brother entered the cave of Anba Bishoy and desired to see Ephrem. He tried to run after him, but Bishoy said to him: “You will not catch him, for a cloud carried him.” When the brethren heard this, they marveled and glorified the Lord Jesus in His saints.
The Visit of Emperor Constantine to Anba Bishoy:
One day Saint John the Short went to our father Anba Bishoy, and when he reached the door of his cave, he heard someone speaking with the saint and weeping. When he knocked, Saint Bishoy opened to him. They prayed and sat together. Since Anba John saw no one with our father Bishoy, he asked him: “Who was with you just now, my father?” The saint answered: “Did you hear him? It was King Constantine. He came to me saying: ‘Would that I had become a monk and left my kingdom behind, for I never imagined this honor and great glory prepared for the monks.’”
Bishoy’s Way of Dealing with His Monks:
Bishoy was meek and humble. He did not use harshness with his children, but disciplined them with gentleness, tenderness, and patience. It was never heard that he rebuked a monk violently or dealt harshly with anyone. Rather, he was an example of Christian leadership characterized by love, compassion, optimism, and hope.
Once some brethren complained to him about a priest in the desert who spoke words that brought no profit to the soul. The monks said to the saint: “See, our father, how he stirs distractions within us.” Indeed, this monk spoke foolishly during one of the gatherings before Anba Bishoy himself, yet the saint did not rebuke him. The monks were troubled, so he said to them: “What do you want me to do? Behold, Satan desires his destruction, and if you cast him out, the Lord will ask me about him.” Anba Bishoy went to this weak monk, spoke to him gently, and advised him with kindness and meekness until he repented and became a saint.
What amazes me is that the spirit of Anba Bishoy still prevails in the present monastery, and even now the same approach followed by the saint continues in his flourishing monastery. Blessed is Your Name, O Lord, and blessed also in Your saints!
The Departure of Anba Bishoy from Scetis:
The first attack of the barbarian tribes upon the Desert of Scetis occurred around the year 407. Many of the monastic fathers fled. Anba Bishoy asked Anba John the Short to flee, but John said to him: “Do you fear death, O man of God?” He replied: “No, but I fear lest one of the barbarians kill me and go to hell because of me!”
John went to Mount El-Qalzam near the Monastery of Anba Antony, where he reposed there. The other went to Mount Ansena (the village of Sheikh Abadah in present-day Mallawi).
As the Lord arranged for Saint Anba Bishoy to be a spiritual friend to Saint John the Short in the Desert of Scetis, so after his departure to Mount Ansena (Antinoe), the bonds of spiritual friendship between him and Saint Paul of Tammah became stronger, to the extent that they asked the Lord Jesus not to separate them even after their repose, and they received what they desired. Their fame spread throughout Mount Ansena, so much so that Saint Anba Athanasius of Ansena frequently visited them. They informed him that he would have a future in monasticism and that a monastery would be established bearing his name, which indeed came to pass in his famous monastery south of Assiut.
The Repose of Anba Bishoy and the Transfer of His Body to His Monastery:
Saint Anba Bishoy remained in his exile until he reposed in a blessed old age after his body weakened from excessive asceticism. This occurred on the 8th of Abib, July 15, in the year 417. He was buried in the fortress of Minyat Al-Saqqar not far from Ansena. After him Saint Paul of Tammah also reposed. Anba Athanasius gathered both their bodies, and a miracle occurred: the boat could not move from the place where the body of Anba Paul was buried until they brought his body aboard. Thus both were buried together in the Monastery of Anba Bishoy at Ansena.
During the patriarchate of Anba Yusab I (830–849), the body of Saint Anba Bishoy was transferred from Ansena to his monastery in the Desert of Scetis.
According to scholarly research, Saint Anba Bishoy was born in the year 320, departed to the desert in 340, went to Mount Ansena after the first barbarian raid in 407, and reposed around 417 at the age of 97 years.
The bodies of Saints Anba Bishoy and Anba Paul of Tammah still remain in the Desert of Scetis, performing healings and miracles as a testimony to the glory of Christ and an extension of His Kingdom.
Some Wise Sayings of Anba Bishoy:
† “The greatest virtue a monk can practice is to delay his own speech and give precedence to his brother’s words… The years I spent in the desert before anyone knew me are the years for which I shall receive my reward from God. From the time people knew and recognized me, I do not speak of any of those things.”
† He used to say to his disciples: “Do not be lovers of gluttony in food and drink, for gluttony is what cast our father Adam out of Paradise. Let all your conduct and works be for the glory of God.”
Titles of Anba Bishoy:
The Great Saint.
The Radiant One.
The Perfect Man.
The Shining Star.
The Beloved of Our Good Savior.
The One Who Washed the Feet of Our Good Savior.
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