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Saint Nofer made his monastic vows in the monastery of Beraida in Melawi
(in Upper Egypt). There were 104 monks living lovingly and peacefully together.
He heard them once praising the anchorites living in the wilderness and
decided to be one of them.
At night he went out of the monastery to the place that God would choose
to him, taking with him bread that would suffice him for 3 or 4 days. He
met a person who told him "Do not be scared, I am your guardian angel,
you will have God's mercy and I will be with you".
Walking in the wilderness he saw a saint in a small cave. He stayed with
him days learning the ways of the Lord and the way to live in the wilderness
and fight the devils. When his mind was enlighted and learn the hidden
and unhidden ways in the spiritual fight. The saint told him to go the
inward wilderness and live alone.
He walked with him for four days until they arrived to a cave and a palm
tree. He stayed with him for six month until he was confident of his safety
and then left him. They used to meet once a year until this old saint died.
After struggling with hunger and thirst God prepared for him food and drink
that would suffice him. The Lord provided the well and made the palm tree
give 12 bundles of dates yearly, together with the grass that God changed
its bitterness to sweetness.
After a long spiritual struggle the Holy Spinet informed him that before
his death God would sent him Father Pefnotious who would bury his body.
On Baouni 16, St. Nofer blessed Father Pefnotious and slept in peace. Father
Pefnotious heard a choir of angles singing hymns and praises in front of
the soul of the holy St. Nofer. At this very hour the palm tree withered
and fell down, so St. Pefnotious knew that God did not want him to live
in this place.
May the blessings of this great martyr be with us and glory be God for ever Amen.
