TODAY'S SAINT (Anysius)

ANYSIUS

Bishop of Thessalonica

We know very little about the life of this saint who became Bishop of Thess-alonica upon the death of Ascholius in 383. On this occasion, St. Ambrose wrote to the new Bishop and expressed the hope that since Anysius was a dedicated disciple of Ascholius he might prove to be "another Elisha to Elijah."

Pope St. Damasus made this saintly Bishop the patriarchal vicar of Illyricum and he was confirmed in his power by SS. Siricius and Innocent I. When St. John Chrysostom was being harassed by the authorities, St. Anysius came strongly to his defense. In 404, he called upon Pope Innocent I to review the case whereby St. John had been exiled from his See, and he was joined in this by fifteen other bishops of Macedonia. In return he received a letter from St. John thanking him for his efforts on his behalf.

St. Anysius was a dedicated shepherd who inspired his people by his life and teachings. Both St. Innocent I and St. Leo the Great had high praise for his virtues. He died about 410.

PRAYER

God, Light and Shepherd of souls, You established St. Anysius

as Bishop in Your church to feed Your flock by his word and

form it by his example. Help us through his intercession to keep

the Faith he taught by his word and follow the way he showed

by his example. Amen.

Feast: December 30