Saint Platonis of Nisibis, Syria

Commemorated on April 6.

At first Saint Platonis (Platonίs) was a deaconess, but later she withdrew into the Nisibian desert, where she founded a women’s monastery.

The Rule of her monastery was known for its strictness. The sisters partook of food only once a day. When they were not praying, they spent their time in monastic labors and various obediences.

On Friday, the day commemorating the sufferings of Christ the Savior on the Cross, all work stopped, and the nuns were in church from morning until evening. Between services they read from Holy Scripture and from commentaries.

Mother Platonis was a living example of strict monastic asceticism, meekness, and love for one's neighbor for all the sisters. After reaching a ripe old age, Venerable Platonis reposed peacefully in the year 308.

Troparion

(Podoben: “Come, let us worship the Word...”)
With the streams of your tears, you cultivated the barrenness of the desert,
and by your sighings from the depths, your labors bore fruit a hundredfold,
and you became a luminary of the world, radiant with miracles, O Platonίs our Mother.
Intercede with Christ God that our souls may be saved.

Kontakion

(Podoben: “You sought the heights...”)
Having divinely armed yourself with purity of soul
and firmly grasping unceasing prayer as a spear, you slew the hordes of demons.
Therefore, we beseech you, O Mother Platonίs:
“Always intercede for those who honor you.”