Bishop
Saint John, originally from Palestine, took monastic vows at the age of eighteen and began to strive in fasting. He was appointed archbishop in Damascus, but noticing that the duties of a bishop hindered his monastic endeavors, he left the see and secretly departed to Alexandria, where he took the name Barsanuphius.
Having gone to the Nitrian Mountain, he asked the abbot to accept him for the service of the brethren. The saint diligently served the monks, caring for them during the day and remaining in prayer at night. He gathered water for the brethren and brought it to their cells.
One of the monks, incited by the devil, greatly troubled the saint, but John showed humility, acknowledging his fault and asking for forgiveness for his brother. Later, he was recognized by Saint Theodore of the Nitrian Mountain and, leaving the mountain, fled to Egypt, where he manifested the gift of discernment, knowing the thoughts of people. He freed the Church from heretics and wrote many soul-beneficial books, peacefully departing to the Lord.
On the same day, the memory of Saint Martyr Theoctistus, abbot of Pelikitis, who suffered for the veneration of icons under Constantine Copronymus, when his nose and hands were burned with tar.
