John

Holy Venerable John the Hesychast lived in the eighth century and was a disciple of Saint Gregory the Decapolite (commemorated on 20 November). He is commemorated on 18 April in the Greek calendar. In our register he appears under the plain name John, as a holy monk of the Serbian calendar; the identification with John the Hesychast rests on the Greek source used.

From his youth he longed for the ascetic life and went to Saint Gregory the Decapolite, perhaps on Olympus, becoming a monk and learning the monastic rule. His obedience to his teacher was famous, so that Saint Gregory rejoiced and glorified God. After his teacher's death, following his example, he travelled through foreign places and then came to Jerusalem, where he venerated the Holy Places. There the springs of pious compunction grew in him and his devotion to God received new strength and flame. The venerable John lived at the Monastery of Chariton, where he fell asleep in peace.