Saint Zosimas, originally from Phoenicia, was born in the village of Synta in Syria. The monastery in which he lived was located near his birthplace. Through ascetic discipline and prayer, he reached a very high level of spiritual perfection and was granted the gift of foresight.
During his stay in Caesarea of Palestine, where Saint Ioannis the Chozebite was bishop, Saint Zosimas witnessed the fall of Antioch. He had foretold this event and prayed for that day with tears.
When the wife of the noble patrician Arkesilas had an accident and risked losing her eye, Bishop Ioannis healed her, while Saint Zosimas, though far away, had foreseen the miracle and informed Arkesilas of his wife’s recovery.
On another occasion, when a lion devoured the donkey that served the saint, he followed the beast and tamed it with his gentleness. The lion took the donkey’s place and carried every burden, serving the saint until they reached Caesarea. This event was regarded as a confirmation of the saint’s holiness and enlightened character.
He reposed in the middle of the 6th century.
