Hieromonk
Saint Cassian, originally from Rome, was the son of noble parents and from a young age showed a love for the sciences and Sacred Scripture. He studied philosophy and astronomy, then devoted himself to the study of Sacred Scripture and became an outstanding figure of his time. Observing virginity and distinguished by his virtues, he came to Constantinople to Saint John Chrysostom, from whom he received new knowledge and learned the virtuous life.
After this, Saint Cassian withdrew to a skete, taking monastic vows and dedicating himself to monastic labors and struggles. He aspired to a life of silence and, striving in the desert, learned to understand temptations. Traveling through the monasteries of Egypt and other places, he founded two monasteries in Marseilles and wrote several instructive books that benefited many monks.
Saint Cassian also wrote against Nestorius about the incarnation of the Word of God from the Most Pure Virgin Mother of God, glorifying the Mother of God. He passed away in 435 and departed to the eternal abodes.
The feast day of Saint Cassian is celebrated on February 29 in leap years, and in ordinary years, the service is sung at Vespers.
