St John the Short was also known as John the Dwarf, John the Little, John Colobus, or John Kolobos.
He was a priest and desert hermit born in 339 AD in Basta, Lower Egypt.
He died in 405 AD in Mount Colzim, Egypt.
We celebrate his feast day on October 17 every year in the Catholic Church.
St John the Short Biography | |
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Date of Birth | 339 AD |
Place of Birth | Basta, Lower Egypt |
Profession | Priest and desert hermit |
Place of Work | Egypt |
Date of Death | 405 AD |
Place of Death | Mount Colzim, Egypt |
Feast Day | October 17 |
Canonization | Pre-congregation |
Patron Saint of |
St John the Life History
St John the Short was born to a poor but God-fearing family. From when he was 18 years of age, he lived in an underground cave he had dug in the desert of Skete.
He was a spiritual disciple of both St. Poemen and St. Ammoes. He was short in height but a little short-tempered and proud of himself.
Nonetheless, St John the Short had strong faith coupled with gentleness and humility. At one time, later in life, his humility and obedience were put to the test by his spiritual director.
He was ordered to water a walking staff that was stuck in the sand. John did so and after some time it blossomed and John called it the “tree of obedience”.
St John the Short lived a very austere life and became a role model to several other monks including St Arsenius the Great.
When Berbers invaded Skete around 395 AD, he fled Skete and went to Mount Colzim, near the current city of Suez where he lived for years as a hermit.
St John the Short did in 405 AD in Mount Colzim. We celebrate his feast day on October 17 every year in the Catholic Church.
Other Catholic Saints whose Feast Days are in October
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