Venerable John Kolov

Life

John is numbered among the greatest ascetics of Egypt. Kolov means "the Short," for he was of small stature. He came to Scetis together with his brother Daniel, and with exceeding great zeal he gave himself to ascetic struggle, so much so that his brother Daniel had to moderate him. He was a disciple of Saint Pambo and later a teacher to Saint Arsenius the Great. His fellow disciple under Saint Pambo was also Saint Paisius the Great. Once when he and Paisius were discussing what manner of ascetic struggle to undertake, an angel of God appeared to them and commanded John to remain in his place and teach others, while Paisius was to go into the desert and live as a hermit. To test John's obedience, Saint Pambo commanded him to water a dry stick thrust into the ground until it turned green. Without thought or doubt, John watered this dry wood for three full years, day after day, until indeed, by God's power, that wood turned green and bore fruit. Then Pambo gathered the fruit from that tree, took it to the church and distributed it to the brethren, saying: "Come and taste of the fruit of obedience!" John Kolov had a multitude of disciples. Some of his wise sayings have been preserved. He reposed peacefully and departed to the joy of his Lord.