AMMA SYNCLETICA FULL

Because she had the gift of discernment she perceived that some of them, though they were full of enthusiasm, were not ready to take on the rigorous discipline of poverty. Syncletica was approached by great numbers of women who hoped to become monastics. Many, like Saint Syncletica, received spiritual gifts of discernment and healing. Though such women were few in number, they faithfully followed the example of Abba Anthony (Saint Anthony the Great) and others in fasting strictly, praying intensely, and inspiring those who came to them for counsel or to join them in asceticism. Source: Wikipedia Saint Syncletica (called 'Amma' just as the desert fathers were called 'Abba') was born to a prominent family in Alexandria in the fourth century, and was one of the women who went to the desert to live a life free from distractions and close to God. She is believed to have died in her eightieth year, around 350 AD. Syncletica is regarded as a 'Desert Mother' and her sayings are recorded with those of the Desert Fathers. Her holy life soon gained the attention of locals and gradually many women came to live as her disciples in Christ.

With her younger sister Syncletica abandoned the life of the city and chose to reside in a crypt adopting the life of a hermit. From childhood, however, Syncletica was drawn to God and the desire to dedicate her life to him.įrom the time she gained responsibility for her family's affairs, after the death of her parents, she gave all that had been left her to the poor. Amma Syncletica of Alexandria, a Christian saint and Desert Mother of the 4th century, was of a wealthy background and is reputed to have been very beautiful.

Amma syncletica