38 and 396, from the Chronicle of Edessa:
likewise Kohlius, Introductio in historiam et rem literariam Sclavorum,
p. 316. Aitonaviae, A.D. 1729.

About the year 360.

ST. ABRAHAM was born at Chidana, in Mesopotamia, near Edessa, of wealthy
and noble parents, who, after giving him a most virtuous education, were
desirous of engaging him in the married state. In compliance with their
inclinations, Abraham took to wife a pious and noble virgin: but
earnestly desiring to live and die in the state of holy virginity, as
soon as the marriage ceremony and feast were over, having made known his
resolution {595} to his new bride, be secretly withdrew to a cell two
miles from the city Edessa; where his friends found him at prayer after
a search of seventeen days. By earnest entreaties he obtained their
consent, and after their departure walled up the door of his cell,
leaving only a little window, through which he received what was
necessary for his subsistence. He spent his whole time in adoring and
praising God, and imploring his mercy. He every day wept abundantly. He
was possessed of no other earthly goods but a cloak and a piece of
sackcloth which he wore, and a little vessel out of which he both ate
and drank. For fifty years he was never wearied with his austere penance
and holy exercises, and seemed to draw from them every day fresh vigor.
Ten years after he had left the world, by the demise of his parents, he
inherited their great estates, but commissioned a virtuous friend to
distribute the revenues in alms-deeds. Many resorted to him for
spiritual advice, whom he exceedingly comforted and edified by his holy
discourses.

A large country town in the diocese of Edessa remained till that time
addicted to idolatry, and its inhabitants had loaded with injuries and
outrages, all the holy monks and others who had attempted to preach the
gospel to them. The bishop at length cast his eye on Abraham, ordained
him priest, though much against his will, and sent him to preach the
faith to those obstinate infidels. He wept all the way as he went, and
with great earnestness repeated this prayer: "Most merciful God, look
down on my weakness: assist me with thy grace, that thy name may be
glorified. Despise not the works of thine own hands." At the sight of
the town, reeking with the impious rites of idolatry, he redoubled the
torrents of his tears: but found the citizens resolutely determined not
to hear him speak. Nevertheless, he