In the biographies of John Moschos it is reported that after the plundering of Jerusalem in 614, because of the growing Persian threat to Alexandria, he and Saint Sophronios, together with Saint John the Merciful, crossed from Egypt to Cyprus. From there John Moschos, stopping at various Mediterranean islands, set out for Rome. There he worked on arranging the recollections of his travels (The Leimonarion, or The Spiritual Meadow), and there he also died (+ 619/634).
John Moschos bequeathed that he be buried at Sinai or, if barbarian raids did not permit this, at the Coenobium of Venerable Theodosios the Great in the Judean desert. In order to fulfill the final wish of his departed friend, Saint Sophronios set out with his body from Rome to Jerusalem and arrived there “at the beginning of the eighth indiction.” John Moschos was buried in the cemetery of the Monastery of Venerable Theodosios the Great.
“The eighth indiction” corresponds either to September 619 or to September 634. The second date is considered more probable, since Leontios, Bishop of Neapolis in Cyprus, reports that John Moschos, with the participation of Sophronios, wrote the now-lost Life of Saint John the Merciful, who died no earlier than November 619.
Some scholars have suggested that by the designation “Rome” the author of the preface to the Spiritual Meadow did not mean Old Rome, but New Rome, that is, Constantinople. This hypothesis has both supporters and opponents.
Today the tomb of Saint John Moschos can be venerated in what is known as the Cave of the Three Magi at the Monastery of Venerable Theodosios, where other tombs of Saints can also be venerated.
Though John Moschos has never been formally canonized by the Orthodox Church, he is venerated as a Saint at the Monastery of Venerable Theodosios. In some calendars he is commemorated on March 11th, together with his companion Saint Sophronios of Jerusalem.
John Moschos bequeathed that he be buried at Sinai or, if barbarian raids did not permit this, at the Coenobium of Venerable Theodosios the Great in the Judean desert. In order to fulfill the final wish of his departed friend, Saint Sophronios set out with his body from Rome to Jerusalem and arrived there “at the beginning of the eighth indiction.” John Moschos was buried in the cemetery of the Monastery of Venerable Theodosios the Great.
“The eighth indiction” corresponds either to September 619 or to September 634. The second date is considered more probable, since Leontios, Bishop of Neapolis in Cyprus, reports that John Moschos, with the participation of Sophronios, wrote the now-lost Life of Saint John the Merciful, who died no earlier than November 619.
Some scholars have suggested that by the designation “Rome” the author of the preface to the Spiritual Meadow did not mean Old Rome, but New Rome, that is, Constantinople. This hypothesis has both supporters and opponents.
Today the tomb of Saint John Moschos can be venerated in what is known as the Cave of the Three Magi at the Monastery of Venerable Theodosios, where other tombs of Saints can also be venerated.
Though John Moschos has never been formally canonized by the Orthodox Church, he is venerated as a Saint at the Monastery of Venerable Theodosios. In some calendars he is commemorated on March 11th, together with his companion Saint Sophronios of Jerusalem.
