Saint John of Egypt

Life story

According to Palladius in the Lausiac History, John came from the city of Lycopolis in Upper Egypt and learned carpentry as a youth; his brother was a dyer. At about twenty-five he took the monastic habit, spent five years in various monasteries and then went up a mountain near Lycopolis. There he built three cells, one for bodily needs, one for work and meals and one for prayer, and lived in seclusion, receiving necessities through a window.

Palladius reports that John foretold to the emperor Theodosius his victories over the usurpers Maximus and Eugenius. Palladius himself travelled from Nitria to the Thebaid to see John; visitors were admitted on Saturdays and Sundays. In Palladius's account John told him that his father still had years to live and urged him not to go home. Palladius also reports that John had spent decades in his cell, never seeing a woman's face and never being seen eating or drinking.

He died in the 390s at a very great age; modern works often give about 394. A separate tradition, told by John Cassian, says that as a disciple of an old hermit he watered a dry stick daily for a year. This is a traditional anecdote, not an established event. His feast is 27 March in the Roman Martyrology; the Eastern churches use other dates.

Works and witness

• Trained as a carpenter, then became a monk at about twenty-five
• Lived enclosed in three cells on a mountain near Lycopolis
• Said to have foretold Emperor Theodosius's victories
• Received Palladius and many other visitors through his window

Saints from the same country

Saint Anthony of Egypt, Saint Athanasius, Saint Cyril of Alexandria, Saint Catherine of Alexandria

References

• Palladius, Lausiac History, ch. 35 (John of Lycopolis) – tertullian.org translation, read: carpenter, habit at about 25, five years in monasteries, three cells, window, Theodosius and Maximus/Eugenius, visiting days
• Mystagogy Resource Center (John Sanidopoulos), “Holy Abba John the Clairvoyant of Lycopolis” (27 March)
• Wikipedia (English), “John of Egypt” – c. 394 and Cassian's stick story

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