The venerable John, Iraklemon, Andrew, and Theophilus, originally from the city of Oxyrhynchus, were children of Christian parents. From a young age, they engaged in reading soul-beneficial books and, driven by the desire to lead a God-pleasing life, withdrew into the desert of their country. There they met a holy man, with whom they spent a year, receiving spiritual edification. After his death, they remained in the desert and for sixty years led an ascetic life, observing strict fasting, feeding on wild vegetables and water twice a week. On weekdays, they secluded themselves, while on Saturdays and Sundays, they gathered together for joint prayer and thanksgiving to God, receiving Holy Communion from the Divine Angel. They peacefully departed this life, as testified by the great Paphnutius the hermit, who described their life.
