Venerable Conon, Abbot of Penthoucla (+c. 555)

The Venerable Conon was born in Cilicia. While still young he was tonsured in the monastery of Penthoucla on the bank of the River Jordan, and there he was ordained priest. Peter, Archbishop of Jerusalem, learned of the strict ascetic and used to send people to him for baptism. The Venerable Conon baptised those who came and anointed them with chrism, but he was wary of baptising women and held back from it. John the Baptist appeared to the holy father and promised to help him with his prayers in the struggle with temptations.

Once a charming maiden came from Persia to be baptised; passion assailed the Venerable Conon, and he could not perform the Mystery of baptism. The ascetic decided to leave the monastery, but on the way John the Baptist appeared to him again and said: “Go back to your monastery; I will help you to be freed from temptations.” The Venerable Conon tried to object: you promised me the same before. Then Saint John made the sign of the cross over the ascetic and said: “You are rewarded for your struggle with the passions.” He bade Conon return to the monastery and doubt nothing. The holy father obeyed the Forerunner of the Lord and baptised the Persian maiden without hindrance. After this the holy ascetic lived another twenty years in the monastery, and in 555 committed his soul to the Lord in peace.