Saint Arsenius, called ‘the Great’, (350 – 445), whom we recall on this 19th of July, was one of the early monks of the desert, and founders of the eremitical way of monastic life, as an anchorite, living alone in prayer and penance. He did not begin this way, born into wealth and privilege, and receiving the most elite of educations for his time. There was an initial conversion to a deeper spiritual life when his parents died – Arsenius sold everything, had his sister Afrosity (love those names!) join a community of virgins, and was himself ordained a deacon. His erudition could not go unnoticed, however, and he was called to the imperial palace by Theodosius the First (also called ‘the Great’, and the same one who came into conflict, and eventual repentance, with Saint Ambrose). Arsenius was tasked with tutoring the royal sons. The emperor, much pleased, bestowed on him many favours, a lavish life, much acclaim, and Arsenius the Deacon was beloved by all.
Even though there was nothing explicitly ‘wrong’ with such a life, the grace of God called the receptive soul of Arsenius higher, and he responded with unconditional fervour, fleeing into the wilderness like John the Baptist, where many others had already gone, the thousands we now know as the Desert Fathers. Arsenius presented himself to the renowned Macarius, who handed him over to John the Dwarf to be tested. John was in the middle of a meal with some others, and took no notice of his noble guest, until halfway through, he tossed a piece of bread on the ground, which Arsenius sat down and ate without a word.
And so began the solitary monastic life of Arsenius for the next 55 years – he lived to ripe old age of 95, signifying the healthy nature of an ascetical modus vivendi. He would flee further into the desert whenever he was discovered, seeking the lowest and most obscure place, weeping over his past life, and mortified himself in ways that can only be understood supernaturally. One penance was that he never changed the water he used to moisten the fronds to make baskets and such – one of the employments of the monks. He would top it up, which meant that the bowl reeked so much even the angels could probably smell it, had they a sense of smell. Arsenius said that this was to atone for all the times he wore ‘perfume’ at court, which made me think of men’s cologne.
He also, more to the point, and more pertinent for us – no reusing your shower water for future showers! your spouse and children might well object! – Arsenius kept an almost perpetual silence, alone with God (see Kathryn Hart’s post on that theme today), and it is to Arsenius that the aphorism is attributed: “Many times have I repented of having spoken, but never have I repented of having remained silent”.
Like all aphorisms, there are exceptions (I would replace ‘never’ with ‘rarely’, but who am I to correct a Desert Father?). There are times when we must speak, not least for those of us still in ‘the world’. But silence is indeed golden, and would that we take more time in our culture of constant noise, bustle and boisterousness, to reflect and be alone with God.
May Saint Arsenius, the Great and the Silent, intercede for us all.