Venerable John of the Old Cave

Life

He labored ascetically in what is known as the Old Cave, or the Lavra of Chariton the Great, in Palestine. Having come to love Christ the Lord with his whole heart, his whole soul, and his whole mind, he began from his youth to travel to holy places and to hear the teachings and counsels of holy men. He settled at last in the cave of Chariton, where he gave himself to firm ascetic labor, spending his days and years in fasting, prayer, and vigil, unceasingly meditating upon death and learning humility. Like a well-ripened fruit he was plucked by death and translated into Paradise. He lived and fell asleep in the Lord in the eighth century.

From the Hymn of Praise

### GUILELESS TRYPHON, THE GREY-HAIRED SHEPHERD