Venerable
Venerable Zosimas of Phoenicia
V–VI вв.
Also known as: Зосима Тирский, авва Зосима
A 5th–6th-century monk from Sinda near Tyre, a clairvoyant and wonderworker and friend of St John Chozebite, bishop of Caesarea. Scholars identify him with Abba Zosimas whose 'Discourses' are quoted by St Dorotheos of Gaza and included in the Philokalia.
St Zosimas was born in the village of Sinda near Tyre in Phoenicia and became a monk in a monastery near his native town. Known for the gift of clairvoyance, he was a friend of John Chozebite, bishop of Caesarea in Palestine, and of the patrician Arcesilaus. The church historian Evagrius Scholasticus relates that Zosimas once suddenly began to weep and cense the room, saying he heard Antioch collapsing in an earthquake — the disaster happened at that very moment. He also reassured Arcesilaus that his injured wife had already been healed by Bishop John, and once made a lion that had killed his donkey carry its load to the gates of Caesarea.
Scholars identify him with the Abba Zosimas whose 'Discourses', recorded by his disciples, were valued by St Dorotheos of Gaza and partly included in the Philokalia. He is distinct from St Zosimas of Palestine, who buried St Mary of Egypt. His feast is 8 June (21 June, new style).