5th century
Saint Nilus of Sinai
A Constantinopolitan official and disciple of St John Chrysostom who, according to tradition, became a monk on Mount Sinai with his son Theodulus and wrote works on the ascetic life.
Biography
Nilus came from Constantinople, where he served as eparch of the city; he was married and had two children. He was a disciple of Patriarch John Chrysostom, who guided him in the study of Scripture.
According to tradition, he and his wife decided to pursue monastic life separately: Nilus left with his son Theodulus for Mount Sinai, while his wife and daughter went to a women's monastery in Egypt. There Theodulus was captured by raiders, but his father searched for him and found him; both were ordained priests and returned to live as ascetics in a cave on Sinai.
Nilus became known throughout the Eastern Church for his writings on the ascetic life and his correspondence with rulers and bishops. He died in the 5th century, and his relics were later moved to Constantinople.