The 7th Day of the Blessed Month of Babah
The Departure of St. Paula El-Tamouhi
On this day was the departure of Abba Paula who was from Tamouh. Because he was inclined since his young age to his solitary life, he went to Ansena Mountain where he lived with his disciple Ezekiel, who was the witness of his virtues. Living in his exceeding love to the Lord Christ, to whom is the glory, he exhausted his body with asceticism, forsaking early things, fasting and prayer in a way that exceeds human endurance. For this, he deserved that the Lord appear to him and bless him for his conduct in this life, for such is the behavior of those who are perfect and who fight against the flesh, the world and the devil till they overcome them. St. Paula said to the Lord, "All that is due to Your care, You have created us and redeemed us by Your death for us the undeserving sinners." The Lord Christ comforted him and strengthened him.
When our father St. Bishoy went to Mount Ansena, he was joined by the saint Abba Paula. The Lord Christ told Abba Paula, "Your body will be buried with that of my chosen Bishoy." When Abba Paula departed, his body was placed with the body of St. Bishoy. When they wanted to move the body of St. Bishoy to the wilderness of St. Macarius in Scete, they carried it onto a boat, and left St. Paula's behind; however the boat would not move, until they finally brought the body of St. Paula and placed it beside St. Bishoy's body. Then they brought them to the wilderness of Sheheat (Scete).
May his prayers be with us all, and Glory be to God forever. Amen.