St John the Seer (+395)

Saint John the Seer (+395) was born at the beginning of the fourth century. He lived in the city of Lycopolis (Middle Egypt). At the age of twenty-five Saint John went to a monastery and was tonsured a monk. For fifteen years he laboured in various monasteries, and then, wishing to live in solitude, he made for one of the mountains of the Thebaid. Saint John lived as a hermit for fifteen years and never left his dwelling. The venerable father spoke with the people who came to him through a tiny window, and through it too he received his meagre food. After thirty years of life in seclusion Saint John received from God the gift of foresight. He foretold to the Emperor Theodosius the Great (379–395) his victory over Maximus and Eugenius and a triumphant war against the Gauls. To those who came to him the holy father revealed the future and gave advice, and he anointed the sick with healing blessed oil.

The Venerable John foretold to his biographer, the monk Palladius, that he would become a bishop. His prediction came true.

The Venerable John reposed in deep old age, at ninety, in 395.