St John the Silent was also known as John Hesychastes or Sabaites.
He was the bishop of Colonia (Taxara) in Armenia and later a hermit.
He was born around 454 AD in Nicopolis, Armenia now in modern-day Koyulhisar, Turkiye, and died in 558 AD in Jerusalem.
We celebrate his feast day on May 13 every year in the Catholic Church.
| St John the Silent Biography | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Date of Birth | 454 AD |
| Place of Birth | Nicopolis, Armenia now in modern-day Koyulhisar, Turkiye |
| Profession | Bishop of Colonia and later Hermit |
| Date of Death | 558 AD |
| Place of Death | Jerusalem |
| Feast Day | May 13 |
| Canonization | Pre-congregation |
| Patron Saint of | |
St John the Silent’s Life History
St. John the Silent, born in 454 AD in Nicopolis, Armenia, was the son of Enkratios, a military commander, and Euphemia.
His family members, including his brother, held advisory positions to emperors. John received a comprehensive education, both secular and religious.
After the death of his parents in 471 AD, at the age of 18, John used his inheritance to construct the Church of the Most Holy Mother of God in Nicopolis.
By the age of 20, he had established a monastery for himself and ten young monks. John gained recognition for his leadership and holiness, leading the archbishop of Sebaste to consecrate him as the bishop of Colonia (Taxara) in Armenia when he was only 28 years old, despite his lack of desire for such a role. Nevertheless, he served as bishop for nine years.
In his tenth year as a bishop, St. John the Silent faced challenges when his brother-in-law, Pazinikos, assumed the role of governor in Armenia and began interfering in Church matters.
Overwhelmed by secular responsibilities for which he was unprepared, St. John secretly fled to Jerusalem, seeking refuge from the world.
He sought solace in the monastery of St. Sabas, joining the community of 150 monks at the age of 38. Around 494, St. Sabas granted St. John a separate hermitage for undisturbed contemplation.
During five days each week, he observed fasting and remained in his cell, only venturing out on Saturdays and Sundays for public Mass. After three years, he was appointed as the steward and construction worker of the monastery.
St. John the Silent, who had never disclosed his past as a bishop, spent four years in the monastery of St. Sabas.
During this time, St. Sabas deemed him worthy of priesthood and introduced him to Patriarch Elias of Jerusalem.
In Jerusalem, St. John sought a private audience with the patriarch and revealed, “Holy Father, I have something to tell you privately; if you find me deserving, I will accept ordination as a priest.”
With the patriarch’s assurance of confidentiality, they had a private discussion where St. John disclosed, “Father, I was ordained a bishop, but due to my numerous sins, I fled and sought refuge in this desert, awaiting the Lord’s visit.”
Startled, the patriarch hesitated to ordain St. John the Silent, citing certain details shared with him. St. Sabas, suspecting a crime, prayed for guidance, and God revealed the truth.
St. Sabas expressed his concern to St. John for not divulging the secret, and in response, St. John considered leaving the monastery.
However, St. Sabas persuaded him to stay by pledging to safeguard his secret. For the next four years, St. John remained in his cell, interacting only with the person delivering his necessities.
In 503 AD, due to the influence of unruly followers, St. Sabas was compelled to leave his monastery. St. John the Silent chose to live as a hermit, residing in a hut built against a rock face in the desert wilderness for nine years.
Legend has it that he was safeguarded from robbers by a lion that remained close by. For six years, he observed silence, communicating solely with God and sustaining himself with wild roots and herbs.
When St. Sabas eventually returned to the community, he encountered St. John and persuaded him to return to the monastery.
However, John, accustomed to conversing only with God, found disappointment and emptiness in other interactions.
Despite his preference for obscurity and humility, he couldn’t remain unknown to others. Thus, he returned with St. Sabas and resided in his cell for forty years, during which time he willingly shared his guidance with those seeking instruction.
Cyril of Scythopolis, one of the individuals influenced by St. John the Silent, chronicled John’s life. When Cyril sought advice on his life’s path, John suggested joining the Laura of St. Euthymius.
However, Cyril disregarded this counsel and opted for a small monastery near the River Jordan. Falling ill, he deeply regretted not heeding John’s advice.
In a dream, John chastised him for disobedience and urged him to return to St. Euthymius’ monastery for recovery and salvation. Cyril followed this guidance, and upon his return, he regained his health.
St. John the Silent died in 558 AD at the age of 104 in Jerusalem. He lived in seclusion for 76 years, with only a 9-year interruption during his tenure as bishop.
He is usually depicted in art as a bishop with a finger to his lips.
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