Commemorated on October 21
Born in the late 3rd century, Hilarion was born in the small Palestinian village, Tabatha.
His parents were wealthy and wanted him to have a good education. So they sent him to study in Alexandria, Egypt. There he met other Christians who turned him toward the faith. He was then baptized and was passionate to learn more and grow.
He heard from others of Saint Anthony the Great, and Hilarion had great interest to meet him and be guided by his godly wisdom. For many years he learned from the Great Saint Anthony and they lived in the desert fulfilling the ascetic life. He returned to his homeland of Tabatha in Palestine to find that his parents had reposed. He gave his family’s inheritance to the poor and then traveled to the desert.
There he battled his passions, and fought hard against the wicked temptations of the devil. He was able to defeat them with strict fasting and diligent prayer.
He also suffered from hearing terrible sounds, as the devil tried to scare him from his time in the desert. He would hear the cries of women and children as well as the roars and calls of great beasts.
The saint was aware of the demons’ efforts, and he continued to prayer fervently. Remaining in the wilderness, he even had some robbers come across him. Without revealing that they were thieves they asked Saint Hilarion what he would do if thieves came to take his possessions. He answered calmly “I am naked, I have nothing their could take. So I have no fear. ” Then they asked ” And what if the thieves came to kill you?” Saint Hilarion responded, “I would be fine, as this would take me faster from this world to be with my Father in heaven.” After he spoke to them with the passion for Christ, the surprised and moved thieves through the grace of God repented and were baptized into the faith.
Word spread of the ascetic’s grace and humility. Many visited him for healings. God also granted him the ability to cast out demons from those who were suffering. When some offered to pay for his works, he said referencing the book of Matthew, “Freely you have received; freely give.”
He was gifted so richly that he knew which passions afflicted a person based on the smell of their presence.
He also traveled through Palestine and helped to build several monasteries. He would visit each and guide them on how to carry out the true strict ascetic life.
Roughly seven years before his passing, he moved to Cyprus where he continued to live a life of solitude until he was called upon by the lord.
His relics were taken from Cyprus, unknown by whom, to a monastery in Palestine.
Troparion & Kontakion
Troparion — Tone 8
By a flood of tears you made the desert fertile, / and your longing for God brought forth fruits in abundance. / By the radiance of miracles you illumined the whole universe! / Our Father Hilarion pray to Christ God to save our souls!
Kontakion — Tone 3
(Podoben: “Today the Virgin…”)
Today we gather to praise you with hymns, / O unfading light of the Spiritual Sun; / for you illumined those in the darkness of ignorance, / leading all to the heights of God, as they cried: / “Rejoice, Father Hilarion, rampart of ascetics.”