Saint Gerasimus of the Jordan

Life story

Gerasimus was born into a wealthy family in Lycia in southern Asia Minor and gave up his wealth to become a monk. The biographies say he spent a time in the Thebaid desert in Egypt and then returned to Lycia. Around the middle of the 5th century he settled in the wilderness near the Jordan River in Palestine and founded a monastery known for asceticism and prayer.

The Orthodox life says that for a time he was drawn toward the teaching that recognised only one nature in Christ, until Saint Euthymius the Great helped him return to orthodox faith. His community followed a strict rule: five days of the week each monk stayed alone in prayer and handiwork, eating only bread, dates and water, and on Saturday and Sunday they gathered for the liturgy. The cells were left unlocked so anyone in need could enter. Tradition also says he attended the Council of Chalcedon in 451, but this is uncertain.

The best-known story about him is the legend of the lion: he is said to have pulled a thorn from its paw, and it stayed with him. After his death the lion is said to have died at his grave, which is why icons show a lion at his feet. A similar tale is told of Saint Jerome and may have arisen from confusion between the two.

Tradition dates his death to 475; the exact day is not recorded. His feast is 5 March in the Roman calendar and 4 March in the Orthodox Church. The Greek Orthodox monastery of Deir Hajla near Jericho commemorates him, and his lavra stood nearby.

Works and witness

• Gave up his wealth in Lycia to become a monk, and spent time in the Thebaid
• Founded a monastery near the Jordan around the mid-5th century
• Set a rule of five days alone and a shared liturgy at the weekend
• Linked in legend with a tamed lion
• Died in 475

Saints from the same country

Saint Paul, Saint Luke, Saint George, Saint Nicholas

References

• OrthodoxWiki: 'Gerasimos of the Jordan' (orthodoxwiki.org)
• Orthodox Church in America: lives of the saints commemorated on 4 March (oca.org)

Written by Anawim from documented history. Some details about ancient saints rest on tradition and are marked as such.