Leo of Cappadocia

Venerable Leo of Cappadocia was an ascetic from Cappadocia, whose life and death are told in the Spiritual Meadow of John Moschos. He was distinguished by his warm hospitality to all who came to him, whom he regarded as sent by God. Our sources give no day of commemoration for him.

He had the habit of saying, with a smile no one understood: “Now I am on my way to becoming an emperor.” The Greek word basileus meant to the Byzantines both king and emperor. For this saying he was often mocked and even thought to be out of his wits, since there had never been an emperor from Cappadocia.

Once pagan soldiers raided the surroundings of the town near which Leo lived. He took refuge with all the inhabitants within the town walls. Only a few old men were caught by the invaders. Leo went out of the fortress to the enemy camp and offered himself to the pagans in place of the old men, who because of their weakness would be of no use to them, whereas he had enough strength to be of profit. The pagans agreed, released the elders and took Leo instead. But when Leo was loaded with sacks and ordered to follow the soldiers, it turned out that he was not fit for such labour, though he tried to keep his word and serve them, being weakened by his constant prayers and vigils. The pagans, believing that Leo had tricked them in order to rescue his older companions, were enraged and beheaded him.

Only then did the people understand that when Leo spoke of becoming an emperor, he meant not an earthly empire but a heavenly one, for he had fulfilled the commandment of the Saviour: “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends,” and had received from the Lord the crown of the heavenly kingdom. Saint John Climacus mentions him in the Ladder of Divine Ascent, at the twenty-⁠sixth step, as an example of one who goes beyond the commandments of the Gospel through his love.