Verses
Renouncing the world as a child, he left behind the hut of the earth,
In the heavens he established a new hut.
On the fifteenth, John exchanged his earthly hut for another.
Renouncing the world as a child, he left behind the hut of the earth,
In the heavens he established a new hut.
On the fifteenth, John exchanged his earthly hut for another.
Prologue
Jesus, the Eternal Conqueror. Jesus, the Great Kindler of Fire. Jesus, the Incendiary of Souls. Hundreds of hearts align their pulses with Him.
Myriads of human beings receive His summons on the shores of their Galilee.
Countless faithful follow Jesus. Diverse and unique, they fill the multifaceted firmament of the Church.
In action and in hiddenness, in preaching and in silence, they become Witnesses of Christ, practical translators of the Gospel, ardent lovers of the Divine Teacher.
One soul enraptured by Divine Eros is the Venerable John the Hut-Dweller.
Childhood Years
Constantinople is his homeland. Eutropios the senator and Theodora are his parents. Both alike in nature and spirit, rich in material goods yet also in virtue. Devout and conscientious, they care for and labor over the proper upbringing of the three children granted to them by the Lord. Their two older children rise to high positions and prosper. The youngest son, John, immerses himself in the Holy Scriptures, is enlightened, graced, and perceives the vanity of this world.
Desire for Salvation
At twelve years old, the Lord knocks at the door of his heart. His encounter with a zealous Monk from the Monastery of the Akoimitoi (Sleepless Ones) ignites a fire in his chest. He longs for the monastic ideal. He desires to devote himself completely to the Lord and beseeches the Monk to take him along upon his return from Jerusalem. The promise is formally given, and John joyfully converses unceasingly with his Lord.
His parents take pride in their virtuous child. John asks to be gifted a Gospel. His wish is gladly granted. Soon a handwritten, golden Gospel reaches his hands — a precious gift. His joy is indescribable. His thirst for study insatiable. His gratitude immense. Yet above parental affection, John places love for God. Thus, his resolve is irrevocable.
Sacred Departure
John anxiously awaits the return of the Abbot. The hour of meeting arrives quickly. They rejoice and glorify God. John anticipates his parents’ emotional reaction and requests the Abbot to depart secretly. They find a boat and search for a crew. John confides in his mother, requesting money under the pretense of feasting with friends. He secures a hundred coins and a servant as companion.
He meets the Monk, prepays the captain, arranges departure, and waits for the moment. The servant proves a problem, but John sends him to notify friends while he and the Abbot secretly depart, favored by providence. The servant returns, persistently searching, and reports John’s disappearance to his parents. They act swiftly, sending servants throughout the city to search, but all efforts are in vain. John is gone. His parents grieve inconsolably; the mother’s heart is torn, the father’s affection wounded, and both lament the loss of their beloved child.
Monastic Life
Three days pass, and the ship arrives at the Monastery of the Akoimitoi. John pays veneration in the main church, pays respects to the Abbot, humbly greets the brothers, and expresses his inner desire to don the Angelic Schema. His youthfulness causes initial distrust from the experienced Elder, who highlights the difficulties of the path of self-denial. Yet John’s tearful, fervent entreaties, decisiveness, and zealous devotion assure the Elder, and his entrance is accepted. John is tonsured as a Monk. He receives the grace of the Holy Spirit and the Abbot’s heartfelt blessings for victorious battles against the Devil.
For six years, he engages in intense struggle: strict fasting, unceasing prayers, all-night vigils, harsh mortifications, intensive study. He works continuously, obeys unquestioningly, endures humbly, and fights ceaselessly. He attains heights of virtue, and his youthful form becomes ascetic.
But the envious Devil resents his progress and sows thoughts of his parents, friends, and former comfortable life. His heart is inflamed, his body weakened. Against Satan’s fiery arrows, he raises fervent cries to the Lord, subjecting his body to intense trials. His form becomes emaciated. He confesses the relentless assault of the enemy to the Abbot. Deeply grieved, the Elder permits his departure, accompanying him with prayers.
Return to the Parental Home
John departs with firm resolve not to reveal himself to his parents. He moves secretly, shedding burning tears, sending fervent entreaties to the Lord for steadfast guidance. Along the way, he meets a tattered Monk, exchanges garments, asks for blessings, travels together briefly, and parts ways. John approaches his parental home alone, kneeling and tearful, seeking God’s mercy to overcome Satan.
It is night. He arrives at the house of his father Eutropios. He spends the night in extended prayer. At dawn, the final struggle begins. A tattered, skeletal, pale beggar requests a hut in the garden. The servant dismisses him, but John pleads to remain. Soon he sees his father, sheds tears, thanks God, and sends an SOS. Approaching his father, he pleads: “Please let me stay in the forecourt.” His appearance elicits pity, and his request is granted.
Life in the Hut
A hut is built immediately, becoming his fortress where he contends with the Devil. He keeps vigil, prays, fasts strictly, and distributes his abundant food to the poor and servants. He harshly disciplines his body and sanctifies his soul. His mother fears his wild appearance. The Devil tempts him to reveal himself. John remains steadfast, remaining the unknown beggar to his parents. The Lord observes his arduous three-year struggle and appears to him in a dream, rewarding his complete self-denial, perfect patience, profound humility, and glorious victory over the Devil. He announces that after three days, he will depart to meet Him personally and rejoice with the Angels and Saints.
Approaching the End
John awakens, hymns the Lord in gratitude for divine favor, and prays for forgiveness for his parents’ transgressions. He summons the servant to deliver an invitation to his mother, that she may visit. The mother fears his ferocity and refuses. John insists and requests to see her. He announces that he will depart after three days, compelling her to accept. A servant brings her, and John expresses thanks for her charitable hospitality, entrusting reward to Christ. He requests the fulfillment of one final wish: that his garments not be changed at burial, and that he be buried in the hut, the site of his struggle and victory against the Devil. He offers the gilded Gospel as a gift and returns to the hut.
His mother recognizes the Gospel, her gift to her beloved child, informs Eutropios, and they hasten to learn all John knows about their son.
Self-Revelation to Parents and Passing
The moment is unparalleled. Before him stand his parents, tears flowing, awaiting information. The Saint, moved, reveals himself: “I am your son John. The Gospel confirms my identity.” He recounts details of his life as proof of truth. The parents are astounded, seeing their long-lost beloved child, and rejoice. They acknowledge his end and mourn deeply. The people of Constantinople learn of this and share in the joy and sorrow of the parents, marveling at his incomparable patience. The Saint offers final comforting counsel to his parents, thanks God for his glorious victory over the Devil, prays for his grieving parents, and on January 15th, entrusts his immaculate soul into the hands of the Lord, to receive the crown of victory.
Miraculous Presence
His mother forgets her promise and clothes him splendidly. Suddenly, an earthquake occurs, and a voice is heard: “Put on my garments, that you may not be punished.” The mother is paralyzed and speechless. The father recalls the child’s command; he is clothed humbly, and the mother is healed. At the same moment, the Saint performs various miracles. His body is buried with the participation of the Patriarch, clergy, and faithful in the hut. A church is built by his parents there, and the remainder of the estate is distributed to the poor. They continue their pious lives and ascend to the Heavenly Abodes to rejoice eternally with their beloved son John.
Epilogue
The Venerable John is a model of long-suffering patience, complete renunciation of temporary pleasures, total disregard for fleeting glory, strict self-discipline, absolute submission of will to God’s will, and perfect secrecy of identity until his death. His virtues challenge and invite imitation.
May we, humble admirers of the Venerable John, also become willing imitators.
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.