St Babnuda
On the 20th day of the Coptic month of Baramouda we celebrate the life of St Babnuda.
Babnuda was from Dandara, a city along the Nile in Upper Egypt before Aswan. Babnuda was a hermit monk. The angel of the Lord appeared to him and told him to put on the priesthood vestments and go appear before Arianus, the governor.
Arianus arrived with his ship and embarked by the city of Dandara, looking for Babnuda, who came to Arianus and cried out with a loud voice, saying: "I am Christian, and I believe in the lord Jesus Christ." When the Governor knew that he was the anchorite for whom he sought, he ordered him to be tortured severely. He chained him with iron fetters and cast him in a dark prison. A heavenly light shone upon him and an angel of the Lord appeared to him, healed his wounds, and comforted him.
During this time, Babnuda continued to preach the gospels. There was a man in the city named Kyrillos, who, along with his wife, his daughter, and twelve young men, heard the saint and believed. Babnuda confirmed them in faith and they were all martyred by cutting of their heads, and they received the crown of martyrdom. Having heard of Babnuda’s continued preaching, the Governor was enraged and ordered to have a rock hung from Babnuda’s neck and cast him into the sea. St. Babnuda received the crown of martyrdom.
Lessons from this story
I have heard it said that there is fear in comfort, just as there is comfort in fear. Meaning, if you are comfortable in this life be fearful, but those who suffer for the Lord’s sake find comfort in the fear of this world. To which the wisdom of Solomon said “Fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.” (Proverbs 1:7) Not much is recorded about St Babnuda’s early life, before the Lord called him, other than he was a hermit monk. Which, by their nature, is the simplest of lives possible in this world, yet it too is challenged with temptations, attacks and trials. Just read the Life of St Anthony by St Athanasius to see.
The Lord called Babnuda to action. Like a soldier training for battle, Babnuda heard the call and came straightaway. He confronted the enemy on the battlefield, fought, was injured greatly, but nursed back to health by the Almighty physician and went out to battle more. Not receiving a medal of honor, but received the Crown of Honor before the Lord.
We should not see fasting as struggle, but as part of our warrior training so that when the Lord calls we fear Him more than the battles of this world.

Prayer
May the simple life, faith and obedience of St Babnuda inspire us to resist the comforts of this world. And may his prayers and intercessions on our behalf be with us all, amen.