4th–5th century
Saint Bessarion of Egypt
A fourth- to fifth-century Egyptian desert ascetic renowned for his extreme asceticism and miracles.
Biography
Bessarion was born in Egypt and lived in the late fourth and early fifth centuries as a desert ascetic who never owned clothing of his own. Tradition holds that he once stood for forty days and nights among thorns to overcome sleep, his hands and eyes raised to heaven.
His Lives credit him with many miracles, such as halting the sun and crossing rivers without getting wet. He reached a great old age and died in peace.