Pshoi of Tud
Pshoi of Tud was an ascetic of Upper Egypt commemorated on 25 Kiyahk, remembered for his scriptural reading, prayers, and vigils.[^1][^2]
Also known as: Pshoi of Tud, Saint · Abshay · Saint Pshoi of Tud
Identity and sources
Pshoi of Tud was an ascetic of Upper Egypt whose feast day is 25 Kiyahk; his life is known only through a brief notice in the Upper Egyptian recension.1 In connection with Dayr Anba Abshay, he is named Abshay, identified with the Coptic name Pshoi, and given the surname al-Qabrin or al-Qubrayn, whose meaning is unclear.6
Ascetic life
According to the Synaxarion notice, Pshoi devoted himself so assiduously to reading the book of Jeremiah that the prophet appeared to him; similar revelations involved other authors of holy books, whom the notice does not name.2 His prayers and vigils attracted attention, and his death was regarded as that of a saint.2
Burial and healing tradition
Pshoi was buried in an unidentified church.3 The notice attributes healing power to the water of its well, reporting that those who washed with it were healed of sickness, particularly tertian fever, a form of malaria.3 His place of death is described by an Arabic term that can mean “the ford,” “the crossroads,” or “the watering place” of Tud.6
Monastery and chronology
A separate notice concerning Pisentius, bishop of Armant, mentions a monastery east of the castrum, or camp, of Tud.4 Its identification with Dayr Anba Abshay of Tud remains uncertain because the location of the castrum is unknown.4 A monk’s tomb in an enclosure on the south side of the present monastery could be Pshoi’s, but the identification is not established.4
The proposed dating of Pshoi before the seventh century is conditional: it depends on whether the monastery mentioned in the notice for Pisentius was built in Pshoi’s honor.5
References
Sources
- 1.The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 6 — Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 827)
PSHOI OF TUD, SAINT, ascetic of Upper Egypt (feast day: 25 Kiyahk). He is known only from a brief notice in the recension of the SYNAXARION from Upper Egypt.
- 2.The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 6 — Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 827)
The notice describes Pshoi as an ascetic who distinguished himself by an assiduous reading of the book of the prophet Jeremiah, to the point that Jeremiah revealed himself to him. This revelation was repeated for other authors of (holy) books, whom the Synaxarion does not name. Pshoi attracted notice through his prayers and his vigils, so much so that his death was regarded as that of a saint.
- 3.The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 6 — Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 827)
Pshoi was buried in a church—we are not told which one—that was then endowed with a miracle. Whoever washed with the water from its well was healed of sickness, especially those who suffered from tertian fever (a form of malaria).
- 4.The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 6 — Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 827)
In another notice, concerning Saint PISENTIUS, bishop of Armant, there is reference to a monastery "to the east of the castrum (camp) of Tud." This monastery may or may not be the one still in existence, (DAYR) ANBA ABSHAY of Tud. We cannot say, for we do not know where this castrum was located. The present monastery has on its south side an enclosure, adjacent to the monastery fence, where a monk's tomb is situated; this could be the tomb of Pshoi.
- 5.The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 6 — Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 827)
If the notice of 20 Kiyahk (Pisentius of Armant) mentions the monastery built in his honor, Pshoi must have lived before the seventh century (since Pisentius lived at the time of the Persian invasion).
- 6.The Coptic Encyclopedia, Volume 3 — Aziz S. Atiya (Editor in Chief) (p. 149)
The summary of the life of Saint Abshay (in Coptic no doubt Pshoi) is preserved in the Sahidic recension of the Coptic Synaxarion at 25 Kiyahk. This saint was surnamed al-Qabrin or al-Qubrayn, the meaning of which is not clear. He died at "the ford" or "the crossroads" or "the watering place" of Tud (the Arabic word can have these three meanings).
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This article was drafted from the sources listed above with AI assistance and reviewed by an editor before publication.