The Blessèd Jerome:
THE LIFE OF SAINT HILARION
(PL XXIII: 29-54)

Translated by Wm. Henry Fremantle, 1893.

INTRODUCTION, 2009: S. Jerome's Vita S. Hilarionis Eremytæ is a vividly detailed narration of the life of a Fourth Century monastic leader who would otherwise be known only from a few scattered references. It is also an exciting tale of high adventure, consciously meant by its author -- one of the most talented writers of late antiquity -- as competition for the popular novels of the day. The reader will find depicted here a chariot race, a menacing pirate ship, a tsunami, and much else -- even a whiny, sarcastic demon in a magic mirror! But what is most memorable in the long run is S. Hilarion himself, longing desperately for solitude and obscurity, roaming the world anonymously to escape his reputation as a wonder-worker, but never able to harden himself toward the suffering of those in need of healing. Through his prayers, may we also learn to be compassionate.

THE LIFE OF SAINT HILARION THE HERMIT
(written in Bethlehem A.D. 390)

1. Para. 01: Jerome's preface.

2. Para. 02-10: Hilarion's youth.
   • Para. 02: Hilarion's childhood.
   • Para. 03: In the footsteps of Antony.
   • Para. 04: Into the wilderness.
   • Para. 05: The young ascetic.
   • Para. 06: The phantom chariot.
   • Para. 07: Demonic temptations.
   • Para. 08: The danger of inattentiveness.
   • Para. 09: Hilarion's cell.
   • Para. 10: His life there.

3. Para. 11-28: Wonder-worker of Gaza.
   • Para. 11: His food.
   • Para. 12: A band of robbers.
   • Para. 13: Hilarion's first miracle.
   • Para. 14: Aristæneté's children.
   • Para. 15: The blind-woman of Facidia.
   • Para. 16: The paralysed charioteer.
   • Para. 17: Marsitas the strong-man.
   • Para. 18: Orion the demoniac.
   • Para. 19: Majomites the labourer.
   • Para. 20: A chariot-race.
   • Para. 21: The demon under the doorway.
   • Para. 22: The Frankish officer.
   • Para. 23: The mad camel.
   • Para. 24: Hilarion's fame.
   • Para. 25: The festival at Elusa.
   • Para. 26: A greedy monk.
   • Para. 27: The vineyard of Fr. Sabus.
   • Para. 28: Morally tainted chick-peas.

4. Para. 29-47: Hilarion's wanderings.
   • Para. 29: A turning-point.
   • Para. 30: Hilarion leaves Palestine.
   • Para. 31: At Antony's hermitage.
   • Para. 32: The elements mourn for Antony.
   • Para. 33: A fugitive from the unrighteous.
   • Para. 34: Fr. Hadrian.
   • Para. 35: The voyage to Sicily.
   • Para. 36: Hilarion's gospel-book.
   • Para. 37: The healing of the scutarius.
   • Para. 38: In search of Hilarion.
   • Para. 39: The giant boa.
   • Para. 40: The tidal wave.
   • Para. 41: Chased by pirates.
   • Para. 42: Arrival in Cyprus.
   • Para. 43: Hilarion's hermitage.
   • Para. 44: Hilarion's will.
   • Para. 45: Hilarion falls asleep in the Lord.
   • Para. 46: Fr. Hesychius steals Hilarion's relics.
   • Para. 47: Constantia's grief.

5. APPENDICES:

   • Saint Hilarion page at Saint Pachomius Library

   • Questions for Further Consideration