Venerables John, Antiochos, Antōninos, Moses, Zebinas, Polychronios and Damianos, Ascetics of the Syrian Desert near Kyrrhos

The Syrian desert

Today, the twenty-third of February and the Sunday of the Last Judgement, is the collective feast-day in the Orthodox Church for all the Syrian desert ascetics who were disciples of Saints Marûn the Hermit and Limnaios at their open-air mountain hermitage. Among these are named: Saint John the Ascetic, disciple of Thalassios and Limnaios; Saint Antiochos and Saint Antōninos, disciples of John the Ascetic; Saint Zebinas the Elder; Saint Polychronios the disciple of Saint Zebinas; Saint Moses the disciple of Polychronios; and Saint Damianos the Ascetic of Ieros.

Saint John the Ascetic [Gk. Ιωάννης, Ar. Yûhannâ يوحنا] was a disciple of Saint Limnaios. Here is what the Orthodox Church in America has to say about him:

Saint John, disciple of Saint Limnaeus (February 22), lived in Syria in the fifth century, and chose for himself the ascetic struggle of “a shelterless life.” He settled on a hill, sheltered from the wind on all sides, and lived there for twenty-five years. He ate only bread and salt, and he exhausted his body under heavy chains. When one of the nearby ascetics planted an almond tree on the hill so that Saint John could enjoy its shade and get out of the vicious heat, the saint told him to cut it down. This he did in order to deny his body any respite.

Speaking of him, Theodoret writes: ‘John too has keenly embraced this mode of life, a man conspicuous, in addition to other virtues, for gentleness and kindness’ as his spiritual father was. So advanced did he become in the ascetic struggles that Theodoret says: ‘He was so raised above all human things that he reaps no comfort from them.’ Further, he says of John along with his spiritual predecessors Saints Thalassios and Limnaios:

They have the same dress, food, standing posture, prayer, labors all night and all day; neither length of time nor old age nor physical weakness overcome their endurance, but they preserve in themselves love of labor in full bloom. God, the Umpire of virtue, has very many other contestants in our mountains and plains; it would not be easy merely to number them, let alone record the life of each one.

Saints Antiochos [Gk. Ἀντίοχος, Ar. ‘Anṭiyyûẖûs أنطيوخوس] and Antōninos [Gk. Αντωνίνος, Ar. ‘Anṭûniyyûs أنطونيوس], as the OCA says, ‘also lived in asceticism with Saint John. They continued their ascetical struggles until they reached an advanced age, offering an example of spiritual strength, and overcoming every obstacle.’

Saint Zebinas [Gk. Ζεβινάς] was the spiritual father of Saints Polychronios and Moses. Here is what the Orthodox Church in America has to say about him:

Saint Zebinas lived in Syria during the fifth century. He lived an ascetical life on the same mountain as Saint Moses. He never sat down during his Rule of prayer, but sometimes he leaned on his staff. The neighboring inhabitants venerated Saint Zebinas, and they received great help in their sorrows and needs through his prayers.

He reached a great old age, then departed to the Lord.

Saint Polychronios [Gk. Πολυχρόνιος] was the spiritual son of Saint Zebinas and lived in the same place. Here is what the OCA says about Saint Polychronios:

Saint Polychronius lived in Syria in the fifth century. He was the disciple of Saint Zebinas, and imitated the life of his Elder, spending both day and night in fasting and vigil. Saint Polychronius had no chains, but he dug up a heavy oaken root from the earth and carried it on his shoulders when he prayed. Saint Polychronius asked God to send rain during a drought, and he filled up a stone vessel with oil for the needy.

Saint Moses [Gk. Μωυσής] also lived in the same place as Saints Zebinas and Polychronios, and learned from them. Here is what the OCA says about Saint Moses:

Saint Moses lived in Syria in the fifth century. Imitating Saint John, he settled on a high mountain near the village of Rama. He was a disciple of Saint Polychronius, and lived with him. Emulating his Elder in everything, Saint Moses was the very model of an austere ascetical life.

Saint Moses died in Syria in the fifth century.

Saint Damianos [Gk. Δαμιανός] lived in Ieros and was a disciple of Saint John the Ascetic. Here is what the OCA says about Saint Damianos:

Saint Damian lived in Syria in the fifth century. He withdrew to a monastery named Ieros and lived there in asceticism. In his cell he had only a small box of lentils from which he ate.

Holy and wonderful ascetics of the Syrian desert, pray unto Christ our God for our salvation!

Kontakion of the Sunday of the Last Judgement, Tone 7:

When You, O God, shall come to earth with glory,
All things shall tremble
And the river of fire shall flow before Your judgment seat;
The books shall be opened and the hidden things disclosed!
Then deliver me from the unquenchable fire,
And make me worthy to stand at Your right hand, Most Righteous Judge!