The Life of Abouna Petronius ElSoriany In English
His Upbringing
Abouna Petronius ElSoriany was born in Cairo, in the Coptic Hospital on Ramses St. in Cairo on June 1st, 1981 (Feast of Jesus Chris entering into Egypt). His laymen name was: Remon Roshdy Shafik. The name Remon means “The light of the world”. He followed the steps of St. Anthony the Great and St. Pakhomius
His Family
He grew as a
good-hearted child avoiding arguments. He had a quite voice to the extent that no one ever heard him talk in a loud voice. Even when he was still an infant, he never cried to the extent that his mother marveled of his calmness and his angelic voice. When he grew up he was known by his calm comforting voice and his marvelous smile that never departed his face until the moment of his departure
In his youth, he was very kind having the virtue of unlimited forgiveness to his offenders. If he felt that anyone was angry with him, he would run to him and beg for forgiveness; if that person was not forgiving, he used to cry and even kneel before him asking for forgiveness. He never cared for his own personal dignity but was always fond of satisfying the heart of God
His prayers were always mixed with his tears and he used to pour his soul before the LORD Jesus Christ kneeling in a quiet corner in his room, praying more than six hours
His Education
Dr. Remon always excelled in all his education stages and always got the first place among his mates. He was characterized among his peers of high manners beside his study excellence. He finished his high school in 1999 having a grade of 97.5% and joined Medical school of Ain-Shams University where he graduated with honors
Thus he was an example of the successful Christian youth who glorified the name of God all his life
His Career
Dr. Remon joined the Life Hospital, and all his co-workers knew him and called him the “ANGEL”. No one would hear him talking as he was quiet, meek, serving in the hospital with all love and honesty. As so many monks and nuns used to come repeatedly to the hospital, he loved serving them and a strong bond grew with them. He got close to them and got to know them better. Because of great love for them he used to stay working in the hospital non-stop to make sure the monks and nuns are getting the best care
His Postgraduate Studies
Dr. Remon started his studies towards his Master degree in Cardiac Surgery and he successfully passed all exams. At his last exam, H.G. Bishop Methaos, Bishop and Abbott of ElSorian Monastery talked to him asking: Do you wish to become a monk in this Monastery now, not waiting to finish you last exam? Dr. Remon joyfully answered without thinking: “yes, now Syedna”, and it was a test for him to know his serious attachment to the Monastery and his love and longing to monasticism; as usual he excellently passed it
His Relation With Saints
One of Dr. Remon co-workers in the hospital told that one day H.E. Late Anba Mikhael, Metropolitan of Assiut, was visiting the hospital and it was a big crowd around H.E. and it was hard to get even close to greet him. One of his friends asked they go to greet H.E. and take his blessing, he refused and said H.E. has the feelings towards me and if H.E. wants, he will give me the chance. ordered amid that crowd to bring him this Dr. Remon, and as he was approaching, H.E. Anba Mikhael, crossed him and said, ”your heart is enlightened with the love of Christ lad”. As Dr. Remon heard these words, he felt shy and departed from the place saying: “He did not mean me”. It seems that it was a heavenly testimony from the mouth of a pure saint that Remon was like an angel walking on earth, usually escaping from all glory and dignity
It was counted that Abouna Botros Doss (a priest of St. Mary Church in Khalafawy) came to the hospital to get the blessing of Mother Trivina and give her communion. He asked her if Tamav Eriny ever appeared to her to comfort her? She replied: She did not come but she appeared today to Dr. Remon and asked him to prophesy that Mother Trivina would suffer for a while, then she will get the blessing in heaven. Abouna Botros marveled and went to Dr. Remon to ask him if he really saw Tamav Eriny that day. He gazed and asked Abouna Botros on how he knew. Dr. Remon then asked Abouna to not tell anyone about this. Abouna Botros later counted that he knew then the spiritual stature that Dr. Remon reached before joining the Monastery, given that Tamav Eriny appeared to him and he saw the saints
Also, Abouna Petronius got to know Abouna Felthaos ElSoriany through his work in the hospital, had a strong relation with him, and loved him very much. He was so much affected by him who prophesied that Abouna Petronius would be exempted from military service before even going through the medical examination for the military service
While he was working in the hospital, he met with Mother Trivina, the sister of Tamav Eriny, who told him that she saw both Saint Mary and the saint Abouna Bishoy Kamel beside him. In addition, she prophesied of his monasticism
Internal Struggle Before Entering The Monastery
Struggle started in the heart and mind of Dr. Remon between his longing to monasticism and his fear to leave the service of the patients, priests and the mothers in the hospital. Remon was regularly going to confession with Abouna Ruweis Badie, priest of St. Mary of Khalafawy, who encouraged him to take the decision to go the Monastery; however, Dr. Remon faced an internal struggle. His longing for life with our Lord Jesus Christ was growing day after day until he decided to leave the world and every thing therein for His sake. But he had feeling of responsibility towards the monks and nuns whom he used to take care of. He feared lest they would be differently treated after his departure. He worried for whom he used to take the blessing of that service. All these fears were hindering him but after the words of Abouna Felthaos ElSoriany ”go and bring you bags and come with me to the Monastery”, he felt that this address was announcement from heaven to accept to be among the monks, so his heart was gladdened. He accepted the call and went to the ElSorian Monastery on Thursday April 29th, 2010 at 7:58 pm
Entering The Monastery
Remon, the youth, entered the monastery and his heart’s desired was fulfilled. He stayed for three years under test under the name “brother Elias”. He was an example of purity, love, meekness, humility and active service while he never stopped to treat the sick fathers, the monks, whom he gave extreme care. He never cared for his own comfort. He was ordained a monk taking the name of “Petronius ElSoriany” on June 28, 2013
His Service In The Monastery
He used to work in the medical office of the monastery serving the fathers as much as he could and more. He went to the needy to serve. If any person blamed him of not responding promptly he would apologize and visit more than once. He never defended himself even as a normal human was in need of rest
His life in the monastery was characterized by several virtues, which could be summarized as follows
SIMPLICITY OF HEART
Through the witness of everyone, his heart was like children’s heart in simplicity, easiness, non-complication and never getting angry. During this period, no one has ever seen him frowning in someone’s face whatever the work pressure or troubles. He used to say always: “whenever troubles surround me, I like to sit in my cell for I do not want to burden anyone with things he has nothing to do with it, and there is not solution or comfort except from God Himself”, and he used to practically apply this to himself, and stay all day in his cell
HUMILITY
Abouna Petronius was a role model of humility and simplicity of heart. One priest counted that Fr. Petronius told that in prayers he’d say to the Lord “Lord, I am extremely weak and weaker than weakness itself, not able to do anything nor face any of the problems so be with me and support me”. So through his prayers, the Lord supported him in all his life circumstances. Because of his great humility, he never justified any blame directed to him but he used to say “I am a sinner” and you could hear these words from him even he was not guilty in anything
KINDNESS TOWARDS WORKERS
He was so kind towards the workers of the monastery. When many workers asked for his help, whether financially or not, he would give cheerfully. If he asked any worker of a small job, he would still pay the worker a full day wage from his own money
DAILY VISIT TO CEMETERY TAFOOS
One of the monastery elders to whom Abouna Petronius used to ask advice, counted that Abouna Petronius used to take communion daily and visited the cemetery of the monastery (Tafoos). He used to visit the cemetery after the praise and before the liturgy to get the blessing of the departed fathers, especially Abouna Felthaos whom he had strong bond with and loved very much. One of the fathers warned him of not going to cemetery in darkness lest the devils will fight with him. However, Abouna Petronius was fond of visiting the cemetery to have quiet time and to pray for his beloved ones and contemplate about the end of this perishing world. In one of his visits the devil fought with him fiercely. When he got fearful the first time, he crossed himself. A heavenly light was shown before him and Archangel Michael was standing before him smiling and comforting him and kept guarding him until Abouna Petronius finished his visit. That was a strong proof that heavens was so close to his pure heart which was living with his friend the martyrs and saints in a strong spiritual friendship. Really he was living heaven on earth longing always to departing
