Philaret The Merciful
December 1


Saint Philaret a native of Paphlagonia in Asia Minor, was a virtuous Christian layman
who lived in lawful wedlock and raised a family. He was most renowned for his generosity
to all in need. With the permission of God, in a short
space of time he lost the greater part
of his possessions
to theft and other misfortunes and was left with nothing but his family, his home, and a little livestock. Yet he
continued to give generously
to the poor despite the faint-heartedness of his family, who reproached him for giving alms when they were in need themselves; and God, seeing his faith, restored his prosperity to him
many times over. He foresaw the day of his death, and reposed in an odour of sanctity in Constantinople in 789