St Modestus, Archbishop of Jerusalem (+633–634)

Saint Modestus, Archbishop of Jerusalem, was born in Sebastia of Cappadocia (Asia Minor), into a Christian family. From his youth he felt drawn to a strict, ascetic life, and when the time came he was tonsured a monk. Afterwards the blessed Modestus was hegumen of the monastery of Saint Theodosius the Great in Palestine. At that time the Persians attacked Syria and Palestine, killed ninety thousand Christians and destroyed Orthodox churches. The enemy seized the life-giving Cross of the Lord and took captive Zacharias, Patriarch of Jerusalem, together with many other Christians. After this the governance of the Church of Jerusalem was entrusted for the time being to Saint Modestus.

With the help of John the Merciful, Patriarch of Alexandria (commemorated 12 November), the blessed Modestus restored the plundered Christian churches. He buried with honour the slaughtered monks of the Lavra of Sabbas the Sanctified. Fourteen years later Patriarch Zacharias returned from captivity and brought back the life-giving Wood with him. After his repose Saint Modestus was appointed chief shepherd of the Church of Jerusalem. The Lord’s chosen one reposed in 634, at the age of ninety-seven.