Venerable John Koukouzelis (XII)

The Venerable John Koukouzelis was born in Dyrrachium (Bulgaria) and was orphaned in childhood. Endowed by the Lord with a beautiful voice, he was admitted to the school at the imperial court of Constantinople. Thanks to his wonderful gift he won the favour of the Emperor John Komnenos (1118–1143) and became the first singer of the court; but the brilliant life of the palace did not attract the God-loving young man: inwardly he dreamed of the life of a solitary, and sought a teacher and a fitting time. At this time, by the will of God, John met an abbot from Athos who had come to Constantinople on the business of his house. The blessed one told him of his intention and went with him to the Holy Mountain. Here the holy father was tonsured a monk, and as his obedience was given the herding of the monastery’s flock. John would drive the animals deep into the wilds of Athos, and there, in solitude, he meditated on the providence of God and glorified the Lord in song. Out of humility John did not reveal his worldly standing and his gift to the abbot. But by the providence of God everything became known to the abbot; he feared the wrath of the emperor, who might find his favourite and bring him back from the Holy Mountain, and so he went to Constantinople, told the king about his former subject, and asked him not to hinder the young monk from following the saving path he had chosen.

From that time on John Koukouzelis sang in church on Sundays and other feasts. For his diligent labour he was counted worthy of great mercy from the Mother of God herself: once, after singing the Akathist before an icon of the All-holy Virgin, John saw in a dream the Queen of Heaven herself, who said to him: “Sing, and do not fall silent. I will never leave you.”

Saint John sensed beforehand the approach of his end; he bade farewell to the brethren and asked to be buried in the church of the Archangels, which he himself had built.