St Osio (Ossyo), the Ascetic – October 15

Ossyo’s (Esia, Osio) was born to parents Fanitheros and Gurgunia both famous and staunch believers in Christ. They were childless for long time, but they believed fervently a child would be born to them and that child was named Ossyo, meaning ‘doctor’ in Syriac and Osios means ‘Holy’, ‘Pious’ or ‘Venerable’ person in Greek. He was born in the town Farfa, Rome. His father was brother to King Theodosius of Sakadasyus. He studied in the school of Mor Yuhanon at Hamdan. His parents desired that he marries the Governor’s daughter Arunia (Hasiba). But he decided to give up worldly comforts to follow the divine path. Very soon he proceeded to Jerusalem.  

He visited the Church of Nativity and other holy places in Jerusalem and obtained priestly habit after five months. He went to Mt. Sinai and arrived at a place where ten priests were staying. From there he continued his journey to Kafra desert on the hillside. There he met St. Dimet (Dometius), became his disciple. He was ordained a priest. He was trained under him for fourteen years. He continued his stay with his master until St. Dimeth’s death in 322. Mar Ossyo became well known through his prayer life, asceticism and fasting. He did missionary work in Homs, Syria. More than thousand idolaters gave up their religion to follow him. Ossyo could cure Bibindar, the King of Persia, who was infected during the outbreak of an epidemic.  

He travelled to the interiors of Antioch and protected people from the attack of wild animals. Wherever he headed he cured the sickness of many people. Even animal obeyed him. He healed many sick people in Nicomedia. When he returned to Antioch from Nicomedia, he realized his end was near. He called his students to his deathbed and said, “Children, I am going. As long as you live on this earth, do not deviate from the path I have taught you. Be careful not to fall into faulty ways. Continue worshipping God. Always tread the path of virtue and purity. This world and everything in it are mere shadows.” 

He also prayed for himself and the world. He passed away in October in A.D. 377. There are many Churches in Aleppo and other places in his name. The Orthodox Church celebrates the feast of Ossyo (Esia) on 15 October. St Osio Orthodox Church, Naranganam West, was named in 1915 after St. Osios by the Bishop Great Vattasseril Mar Geevarghese Dionysius, to whom the location reminded some Greek Monastery.