Zosimus of Phoenicia

Venerable Zosimus of Phoenicia was a monk and ascetic of the 5th and 6th centuries. Reports about him come from the Ecclesiastical History of Evagrius Scholasticus, of the 6th century. He is believed to be the author of the "Conversations" included in the Byzantine Great Gerontikon and cited by Dorotheus of Gaza. According to Evagrius, Zosimus came from the village of Sinda, near Tyre, in ancient Phoenicia. He struggled in a monastery of his region and became known for his strict life. He was in close contact with John the Silent, bishop of Caesarea. Tradition ascribes to him the gift of foresight: he is said to have foretold the disastrous earthquake at Antioch in the year 526.

Modern scholars, among them S. Vailhe (1901), identify Zosimus with Abba Zosimas, author of the "Conversations" cited by Dorotheus of Gaza, of the 7th century. The text contains counsels for disciples on trust in God and endurance of trials, on eternal life and keeping the commandments, on humility and the virtues. The "Conversations" were translated into Georgian by Euthymius the Athonite. Zosimus is commemorated on 8 June (old style; 21 June new style).