Venerable John the Prophet of Gaza

Venerable John came to the monastery of Abba Seridus near Gaza and, after Venerable Barsanuphius the Great withdrew into complete silence, took over his former cell, where he spent 18 years in strict reclusion, imitating his teacher's silence and asceticism. He received the gift of foresight and prophecy, for which he was given the epithet "the Prophet."

Venerable Dorotheos of Gaza (who later founded his own monastery) served as John's cell-attendant and secretary, through whom the spiritual counsel of Barsanuphius and John was conveyed to the many who sought it and was later compiled into an extensive collection of "Questions and Answers" — one of the most important monuments of the Palestinian monastic tradition, which influenced later ascetic literature and entered the reading circle associated with the Philokalia.

He reposed around 543. After his death Venerable Barsanuphius withdrew entirely into silence, and Venerable Dorotheos left the community to found his own monastery.

His feast is kept on February 6/19, together with Venerable Barsanuphius the Great.