Damian the Hermit of Syria

Holy Venerable Damian the Hermit of Syria lived in the fifth century and is commemorated in the company of the venerable hermits of Syria: John, Antiochus, Antoninus, Moses, Zebinus, Polychronius, another Moses, and Damian. They are commemorated on 8 March.

Venerable John, a disciple of Saint Limnaeus, chose the life without shelter. He settled on a hill open to all the winds and lived there twenty-⁠five years, eating only bread with 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 he could shelter in its shade from the heat, the saint ordered it cut down, so as to give his body no relief. Venerable Moses, imitating John, settled on a mountain peak near the village of Rama. Antiochus and Antoninus struggled in the same way, who to extreme old age continued their labours, giving an example of spiritual strength that overcomes every weakness. Venerable Zebinus, who struggled on the same mountain, reached great old age, but never sat during his rule of prayer, leaning at times only on a staff. The people of the area honoured Zebinus and received, through his prayers, much help in their troubles and needs.

Saint Polychronius, a disciple of Zebinus, followed the life of his elder, spending days and nights in fasting and vigil. He had no chains, but at prayer he laid on his shoulders a heavy oak root, which he had dug out of the ground himself. By his prayer he asked rain from God in a time of drought and filled a stone vessel with oil for those in need. With Polychronius lived his disciple, Venerable Moses, who, following his elder in everything, also gave an example of a severe life. Another disciple, Venerable Damian, withdrew to a monastery called Hiera and struggled there, having in his cell only a small box of lentils, from which he fed himself. All these venerable fathers fell asleep in peace, in the fifth century, in Syria.