4th–5th century
Saint Sarah of the Desert
Desert Mother who lived in the Egyptian desert (4th–5th century), known from her sayings preserved in the Sayings of the Desert Fathers.
Biography
Sarah lived as a hermit in the Egyptian desert, near a large river which, according to tradition, she never once looked down at in sixty years of asceticism.
It is said that two elder monks once visited her intending to test her, reminding her that she was only a woman; she replied that she was a woman by nature, but not in her thinking. On another occasion, monks from Scetis who visited her chose to eat the poorer food and leave the better share, and she praised them as true ascetics of Scetis.
Sarah used to say she would rather keep her heart pure toward everyone than be admired by them. She died in peace.