Saint Varsonofy was born in Egypt and led an ascetic life from a young age. He lived in a cell near the monastery of Abba Serid, where he spent 50 years in labor and prayer. The Patriarch of Jerusalem, Eustathius, hearing of Varsonofy, sought to verify his holiness, but his attempt to enter the cell ended in failure. Varsonofy reached a high degree of spiritual perfection, possessed the gift of foresight, and healed the sick. He predicted the future and performed miracles, including the resurrection of the dead.
Saint John, a disciple of Varsonofy, also attained spiritual perfection by following his teacher's guidance. He predicted his own death, which occurred shortly after Varsonofy's passing. Both saints left behind teachings that became a guide for the spiritual life of their contemporaries and subsequent generations. Their lives and works were recorded and preserved in manuscripts, attesting to their significance in the Orthodox tradition.
