John-⁠Barsanuphius

Holy Venerable John-⁠Barsanuphius, bishop of Damascus and hermit in the desert of Nitria, was from Palestine by birth. At eighteen he received Holy Baptism and soon afterward monastic tonsure. For his ascetic life he was ordained bishop of the city of Damascus. But, loving a secluded life, he left the bishopric and went secretly to Alexandria, calling himself Barsanuphius.

Then he withdrew into the desert of Nitria, came to a monastery and asked the abbot to receive him into the community, to serve the elders. This obedience he fulfilled in good faith by day, and the night he spent in prayer. After some time Saint Theodore of Nitria, who knew that he was a bishop, saw him; then Saint John hid again and went to Egypt, where he struggled until the end of his life, in the fifth century.

The Church commemorates him on 13 March, in the new style.