Antiochus the Hermit of Syria

Venerable Antiochus the Hermit of Syria is commemorated on 8 March together with the other venerable Syrian hermits: John, Antoninus, Moses, Zebinas, Polychronius, another Moses and Damian. They lived in the fifth century and died in peace.

Venerable John, a disciple of Saint Limnaeus (commemorated on 22 February), chose for himself the ascetic labour of "life without shelter". He settled on a hill open to the winds from every side and lived there twenty-⁠five years, eating only bread and salt and wearing out his body with heavy chains. When one of those who visited him planted an almond tree on the hill, so that the saint could shelter from the scorching heat in its shade, he ordered it cut down, so as to give his body no rest. Venerable Moses, imitating John, settled on the top of a mountain near the village of Rama. The venerable ones Antiochus and Antoninus laboured with the same labour, and to deep old age carried on their struggles, giving an example of spiritual strength that overcomes every weakness. Venerable Zebinas, who laboured on the same mountain, reached deep old age but never sat during his prayer rule, only sometimes leaning on a staff. The people around honoured him and received, through his prayers, great help in their troubles. Saint Polychronius, Zebinas's disciple, followed his life: days and nights he spent in fasting and vigil. He had no chains, but during prayer he laid on his shoulders a heavy oak root which he had dug up himself. By his prayer he asked God for rain in time of drought and filled a stone vessel with oil for those in need. With Venerable Polychronius lived his disciple, Venerable Moses, who, following him in all things, also showed an example of austere life. Another disciple, Venerable Damian, withdrew to a monastery called Hiera and laboured there, having in his cell only a small box of lentils, on which he fed.