Venerable John the Silent (the Hesychast)

Saint John the Silent was born around 454 in Nicopolis, Armenia, the son of a military commander. Having built a church at his own expense, he was made Bishop of Colonia at age 28. Weary of worldly honor and administrative burdens, he secretly left his see and went to Jerusalem, then to the Lavra of St. Sabbas the Sanctified in Palestine, where he concealed his episcopal rank and undertook a vow of silence. He spent many years performing humble monastic labors in total silence and also withdrew for a period as a hermit into the desert of Rouba. St. Sabbas himself relied on him as a spiritual counselor. John was granted gifts of clairvoyance and healing. He reposed in extreme old age, having kept silence for more than forty years.