{{stub}}''Preparing 'Isaac of Syria''' is a 7th century [[saint]] known for his strict [[asceticism]]. He was born in the region of Qatar on the western shore of the Persian Gulf. When still quite young, he entered a [[monastery]] with his brother. He gained considerable renown as a short parateacher and was ordained [[bishop]] of Ninevah, the former capital of Assyria to the north, but requested to abdicate after only five months.He then went south to the wilderness of Mount Matout, a refuge for anchorites.There he lived in solitude for many years studying the [[Scripture]], but eventually blindness and old age forced him to retire to the monastery of Shabar, where he reposed and was buried.''