Venerable John, Who Was a Priest of the Old Lavra in Palestine (VIII)

The Venerable John, who was a priest of the Old Lavra in Palestine (VIII), was young when he left his home and went to venerate the holy places of Jerusalem, and, moved by divine zeal, settled in the Lavra of the Venerable Chariton (commemorated 28 September), which was the most ancient of the monasteries of Palestine. This lavra lay near Bethlehem, by the Dead Sea. Through constant labour Saint John attained spiritual perfection. The monk, distinguished by his piety, was ordained priest. By his holy life he became famous far and wide.