(CE:2030a-2030b)
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. 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.
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).
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. The text of the Synaxarion says only that he died "at the ford" (or at the crossroads, or at the watering place) of Tud. 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).
RENÉ-GEORGES COQUIN
