May 13
Saint John the Silent
Bishop, Hermit
(454-558)
“Father, I have been ordained bishop; but on account of the multitude of my sins have fled, and am come into this desert to wait the visit of the Lord.”
Saint John the Silent
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or on the Book Cover Image above
Saint’s Life Story
His Early Life
John (also known as John Hesychastes and John Sabaites), was born on January 8, 454, in Nicopolis, Armenia (modern-day Koyulhisar, Turkey). His parents, Encratius and Euphemia, were wealthy and honored from a prominent Armenian family. His father served as a military commander, and his brother and other relatives holding influential positions as advisors to emperors. However, his parents were also good Christians, who gave their son a holy education.
Built a Church
Tragically, his parents passed away in 471 when John was only 17 years old. John distributed his inheritance among his relatives, retaining only a small share, with which he constructed the Church of the Most Holy Mother of God in Nicopolis.
By the age of 20, John’s desire for a life dedicated to God led him to establish a monastery for himself and ten other young monks. For a decade, John led ten young companions in a life of devotion and hard work.
Bishop of Colonia
During this time, John built a reputation for leadership and sanctity. Even though John had no desire for the role and protested strongly, at the age of 28, the archbishop of Sebaste consecrated John as bishop of Colonia in Armenia. Despite his ecclesiastical responsibilities, John continued to live as a monk whenever possible. For nine years, John faithfully performed his office and zealously instructing his flock while depriving himself the necessities of life so that he might help the poor.
During his tenth year as bishop, John faced difficulties when his brother-in-law, Pazinikos, became governor of Armenia. Pazinikos interfered in Church affairs, which overwhelmed John, who was unprepared for such secular matters. Faced with these challenges, John secretly fled to Jerusalem in search of a place to hide from the world and immerse himself in prayer.
Joins Saint Sabbas
While John was praying one night, he saw a bright cross form in the air and heard a voice say to him, “If thou desirest to be saved, follow this light.” He saw the light move and point to the monastery of Saint Sabbas. So, at 38 years old, John joined the monastery, which held 150 fervent monks. For several years Saint Sabbas subjected John to tests of hard labor and service, fetching water, carrying stones, and doing other menial work.
Denied Priesthood
After four years, Saint Sabbas, judging him worthy to be promoted to the priesthood, presented him to the Patriarch Elias of Jerusalem. Upon their arrival at the church of Mount Calvary, where the ordination was to take place, John requested a private audience with the patriarch. John said, “Holy Father, I have something to impart to you in private; after which, if you judge me worthy, I will receive holy orders.”
John took the patriarch aside, and, having obtained from him a promise of secrecy, said, “Father, I have been ordained bishop; but on account of the multitude of my sins have fled, and am come into this desert to wait the visit of the Lord.”
The patriarch was startled, but told Saint Sabbas, “I desire to be excused from ordaining this man, on account of some particulars he has revealed to me.” but God revealed to Saint Sabbas the state of the affair.
Saint Sabvas was afraid John had committed a crime and after he prayed God revealed the truth to him. Then, Saint Sabas called for John, complaining to him of his unkindness in concealing the matter from him. John wanted to leave the monastery but Saint Sabvas convinced him to stay by promising to keep his secret.
Returns to Saint Sabbas as a Hermit
In the year 503 the factious spirit of certain turbulent monks obliged Saint Sabbas to leave his laura. At the same time, John withdrew into a neighboring desert, where he spent six years.
In 510, when Saint Sabbas was recalled to his community, John returned to the monastery and there lived in his cell for forty years. Experience had taught John that a soul accustomed to speak to God alone finds only bitterness and emptiness in worldly intercourse. Both by example and precept John led many souls to God, and continued in his hermitage to emulate, as far as this mortal state will allow, the glorious employment of the heavenly spirits in an uninterrupted exercise of love and praise.
However, now, John no longer refused to see those who resorted to him for advice and desired his instruction. One of these people was Cyril of Scythopolis who wrote about John’s life.
Cyril had asked him what to do with his life. John recommended he join the Laura of Saint Euthymius, but Cyril did not listen. Instead, he went to a small monastery on the bank of the River Jordan. He fell ill there and deeply regretted not listening to John. While there, John appeared to him in a dream and after scolding him for not obeying said that if he returned to Saint Euthymius’ monastery, he would get well and find his salvation. The next day he did so and was well again.
His Death
On January 8, 558 John died in Jerusalem, Palestine (Israel) at the age of 104. He lived in solitude for 76 years, interrupted only for the 9 years when John was bishop of Colonia.
Born: January 8, 454, in Nicopolis, Armenia (now Koyulhisar, Turkey)
Died: January 8, 558 at age 104 in Jerusalem, Palestine (Israel)
Beatified: Pre-Congregation
Canonized: Pre-Congregation
Feast Day: May 13, December 3 (Orthodox)
Patron Saint: None
Reflection
Just imagine that you just received a promotion at work to a manager. You work at this job for 9 years. Then, you go off to a new company and you have to start at an entry level position. Plus, you swear everyone to secrecy about your previous work as a manager. This is exactly Saint John the Silent’s life. Early on in his life, John was chosen as Bishop of Colonia, a job he initially reluctantly accepted and held for 9 years. Then, after a vision that John received in prayer, he went off to the monastery with Saint Sabbas working hard to prove himself as a priest. When he was about to be ordained, he told them that he had a “multitude of sins” and fled to the desert. Saint John shows us that silence is sometimes a very important means of seeing and knowing both God and ourselves. Although we can find God in nearly every area and activity of life, silence is an often overlooked method for growing in closeness with God.
Do you ever spend time away from all distractions and noise to focus on God? Try to spend time with Jesus during Eucharistic Adoration at your church and pass on your concerns trusting in Jesus’ response to your silent prayers.
Prayers
Saint John the Silent,
You found God not in the noise of the world, but in the stillness of solitude and the silence of the heart.
Teach us to seek that same quiet where the voice of the Lord can be heard.
Help us to rediscover the beauty of prayer, reflection, and inner peace.
You left the honors of bishop and the comfort of status to embrace a life hidden in Christ.
May your humility inspire us to let go of pride and your obedience show us the strength of surrender.
Help us to trust that even the quiet reflective life can shine with the glory of God.
Saint John the Silent, pray for us! Amen.
Saint Links
America Needs Fatima – Saint John the Silent
Catholic Online – St. John the Silent
CatholicSaints.Info – Saints of the Day – John the Silent – by Katherine I Rabenstein
CatholicSaints.Info – Pictorial Lives of the Saints – Saint John the Silent by John Dawson Gilmary Shea
Editions Magnificat – Saint John the Silent Bishop, Monk of Saint Sabas (454-558)
New Advent – Mershman, F. (1910). St. John the Silent. In The Catholic Encyclopedia
Orthodox Church in America – Venerable John the Silent of Saint Sabbas Monastery
Saint Mary’s Press – Saint John the Silent (454-558)
Video Link
May 13 – Saint John the Silent – Monastic – 0558 – Mar Saba – YouTube (cybrotius)