IS honored by the Greeks. He was the son of a senator in that city, and
sold his estate, plate, and furniture, for the benefit of the poor; and
lived first a hermit, afterwards governed a numerous community in the
fourth age. He allowed his monks no other food than herbs and pulse, and
very coarse bread; no drink but water: he forbade milk, cheese, grapes,
and even vinegar, also oil, except from Easter to Whitsuntide. To put
himself always in mind of advancing continually in fervor and charity,
he added every day something to his exercises of penance and devotion:
he was remarkably solicitous to avoid sloth, being sensible of the
inestimable value of time. Alas! what would not a damned soul, what
would not a suffering soul in purgatory give, for one of those moments
which we unthinkingly throw away. As far as the state of the blessed in
heaven can admit of regret, they eternally condemn their insensibility
as having lost every moment of their mortal life, which they did not
improve to the utmost advantage. Theodoret tells us that the holy abbot
Publius founded two congregations, the one of Greeks, the other of
Syrians, each using their own tongue in the divine office: for the Greek
and Chaldean were from the beginning {223} sacred languages, or
consecrated by the church in her public prayers. St. Publius flourished
about the year 369. See Theodoret, Philoth. c. 5. Rosweide, l. 6, c. 7.
Chatel. Mart. Univ. p. 886, among the Aemeres, or saints who are not
commemorated on any particular day.