Venerable Isaac, Dalmatus, and Faustus of the Dalmatian Monastery (4th–5th c.) — August 3 / August 16 (Julian Calendar)

On this day, August 3 according to the Julian Calendar (August 16 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates the Venerable Isaac, Dalmatus, and Faustus of the Dalmatian Monastery.

The venerable fathers Isaac, Dalmatus, and Faustus were abbots of the Dalmatian monastery. In the world the venerable Dalmatus served in the army of the holy and pious emperor Theodosius the Great (379–395). About the years 381–383 the blessed father withdrew from the world and, together with his son Faustus, went to the monastery near Constantinople of the faithful defender of Orthodoxy, the wonderworking father Isaac (commemorated March 22 and May 30).

Venerable Isaac tonsured the father and son as monks, after which both took up a strict ascetic life. Once, during Great Lent, the venerable Dalmatus spent forty days without food. Before his death, in the year 383, holy Isaac appointed the venerable Dalmatus as abbot, and from his name the monastery came to be called the Dalmatian.

The venerable Dalmatus firmly defended the Orthodox faith at the Third Ecumenical Council, held at Ephesus in 431, which condemned the heretical teaching of Nestorius. After the council the holy father was consecrated archimandrite of the Dalmatian monastery, and in this rank he reposed, having attained ninety years of age.

Concerning holy Faustus it is known that, like his father, he too was a great ascetic; and after his father’s death he took upon himself the care of the monastery.