Stephen of Bithynia

Holy Venerable Stephen of Bithynia, also called Stephen of Chalcedon, lived in the eighth century and founded a monastery in Bithynia, near Chalcedon.

Following the life of the great ascetics, he visited many monasteries in Palestine and the deserts of the great fathers, the venerable Euthymius the Great (commemorated on 20 January), Sabbas the Sanctified (5 December) and Theodosius the Great (11 January). After he took the monastic habit, the venerable Stephen founded his own monastery in Bithynia, at Mount Oxia, near Chalcedon. In the monastery called "Chinolakkos" ("By the Goose Pond") many monks gathered. The holy ascetic foresaw his end, and some of the brethren were granted to see his glorious departure with the angels to the dwellings on high.

He is commemorated on 27 January, in the new style.