Saint John the Anchorite: During a persecution
against Christians, the devout widow Juliania of Armenia hid from pursuers together with her two young children John and Themistea.
She taught her children to pray and to read the Holy Scriptures.
From time to time John secretly visited a nearby monastery, thereby placing himself
in danger. Once, a pious old man advised him to find a more secluded place for prayer. Returning home, the saint told his
mother that he was going to visit the Elder. Thinking that her son would soon return, she let him go.
John went to the desert-dweller Pharmutios and received
his blessing to live alone in the wilderness. The young ascetic found an abandoned well, which was filled with snakes, scorpions
and other vile creatures. He lowered himself into the well and lived there for ten years in fasting, vigil, and prayer.
The angel who brought food to the hermit Pharmutios
also brought bread for Saint John. The angel did not bring the bread directly to John, however, lest the young ascetic become
filled with pride. Food was sent to him through his spiritual Father, Pharmutios.
Saint John had many temptations from the devil to test him. Demons assumed
the appearance of his mother, his sister, his relatives and acquaintances in order to sadden the ascetic and compel him to
give up his ascetic struggles. With tears they approached the well one after the other, begging Saint John to leave with them.
All this time the saint did not cease to pray. Finally he said, “Be gone from me,” and the demons vanished.
Saint John lived in the well until the time
of his blessed repose. Through God’s providence Saint Chrysikhios, who had struggled in the desert for thirty years,
came to bury him. On the eve of his repose, Saint John told Chrysikhios of his life and struggles for salvation. After his
death, numerous miracles occurred at the place of his ascetic deeds.
