John the Solitary of Jerusalem

Venerable John the Solitary of Jerusalem was an ascetic of Palestine who passed his days in fasting and prayer in a cave near Jerusalem, in the sixth century. He is said to have died in the year 586. He was without possessions: his only wealth was an icon of the Mother of God, before which a lamp was always lit.

The elder often visited the holy places of Jerusalem, Mount Sinai, and the graves of the holy martyrs and ascetics. When he went out he left the lamp burning before the icon of the Queen of Heaven and asked her blessing for the journey. When he returned, after a month or even six, he found the lamp burning and full of oil.

Once, on a narrow path with bushes on both sides, it was impossible for two people to pass each other. The saint suddenly saw a lion coming toward him, and the beast stood on its hind legs and made way for him. A brother who came to the cave asked why he lived in such great poverty; the elder told him that his cave held spiritual riches greater than any earthly treasure. He fell asleep in extreme old age and is commemorated on 19 June (new style).