SAINT REBECCA

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SAINT JOHN THE SILENT

(558)

St. John derived his name the ‘Silent’ from his love of solitary life and recollection. He was born of a prominent Armenian family. His parents died when he was eighteen. He decided to devote his life to God, and leave world affair. To accomplish his desire, along with ten companions of his age, he built a monastery for that matter. Within few years of seclusion and good work, the archbishop of Sebaste knew about this little community led by John. For the good reputation he acquired, the archbishop consecrated him bishop of Colonia in Armenia. At age twenty-eight he obeyed against his will. He served faithfully his diocese for nine years.

In 490, he was sent on a peaceful mission to Constantinople. Mission accomplished, he did not want to go back, and to resume a job deprived him of the monastery life, the austerity, and the seclusion he enjoyed before. He decided to slip away to the desert in answer to his desire. On his way, he saw a vision that led him to St. Saba’s monastery in Palestine. As novice, he joined the one hundred and fifty monks there. As usual, St. Saba admitted him under probation. He assigned him for difficult and hard labor tasks. John, at thirty-eight years old, passed the test, serving cheerfully and silently, to the satisfaction of St. Saba, who allowed him a separate hermitage. He spent about three years alone to contemplate God, silent and fasting, except Saturdays and Sundays to attend worship with monks.

St. Saba wanted to ordain John a priest, but he made every effort to avoid the ordination. When St. Saba left the monastery in 503, for about six years, St. John withdrew into a secluded neighborhood desert. He returned back when St. Saba was called back to his community. He lived there for forty years. He desired to live unknown in humility, but his desire was hampered by his reputation of sanctity. He found himself obliged not to refuse to see those who resort to him seeking his advice.

He departed in 558, after living most of his 104 years in solitude, leading many souls to God by example, and by many miracles.

INSPIRATIONAL EVENT: Once John’s disciple wanted to celebrate Easter, expecting fine food at the monastery, but John said no: “ Let us stay calm, brother, and have faith that He who nourished six hundred thousand in the desert for forty years will Himself provide us with not only nourishment but a surplus as well…Have patience my child, and prefer the narrow path to the broad one. Unconvinced… the brother departed to the monastery.”

“After his departure a man totally unknown came to the elder with an ass loaded with…hot white loaves, wine, oil, fresh cheese and eggs, and a jar of honey. He unloaded and went away…John rejoiced in spirit at his divine visitation, while the brother who had left, after losing his way …returned on the third day hungry and exhausted… The elder sympathizing with human weakness…raise him up and admonished him saying: “Recognize precisely that God is able to prepare a table in the desert” (see Ps 78:19)”

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