Saint John the Silent

John the Silent (c. January 8, 454 – c. 558), also known as "John the Hesychast" (Greek: Ἅγιος Ἰωάννης ὁ Ἡσυχαστής), was a Christian saint known for living alone for seventy-six years. He was given the surname because of his affinity for recollection and silence. St. John's feast day is May 13 in the General Roman Calendar of the Catholic Church, and December 3 in Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches. John was born in 454 AD in Nicopolis, Armenia (modern-day Koyulhisar, Turkey). He came from a family of mainly generals and governors. His parents died when he was 18, and he then built a monastery where he stayed with 10 young monks. Under John's direction, they led a life of hard work and devotion. John built a reputation for leadership and sanctity, which led the archbishop of Sebaste to consecrate him bishop of Colonia in Armenia. He was only 28 at the time and had no desire for such a role. Nevertheless, he held the post of bishop for nine years. In 490, however, John went to Constantinople to secure the emperor's intervention to quell a local persecution. Having accomplished his mission, he did not return to Colonia, but seeking to return to a life of seclusion, he instead went to Jerusalem. His biographer says that while John was praying one night, he saw a bright cross form in the air and heard a voice say to him, "If you desire to be saved, follow this light." He saw the light move and point to the monastery of St. Sabas. At 38 years old he joined the monastery, which then held 150 monks. Around 494, St. Sabas let John have a separate hermitage for uninterrupted contemplation. For five days a week he fasted only leaving his cell on Saturdays and Sundays when he went to public Mass. After three years of this, he was made the steward of the monastery. John had never told anyone he had been bishop, so after four years St. Sabas thought John was worthy to become a priest and presented him to the patriarch Elias of Jerusalem.