Saint
John
Venerable John the Disciple of the Venerable Gregory of Decapolis (9th C)
New Calendar April 11 Old Calendar April 24
Why they are a saint
The Monk John was born at the end of the VIII Century. At a young age he became a disciple of the Monk Gregory Dekapolites († c. 820, Comm. November 20) and accepted monastic tonsure from him at the Thessalonica (Soluneia) monastery. Venerated as a monastic saint, honored for a life of prayer and asceticism.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Orthodox Christians usually take John as a patron when they bear the name John at baptism, or were born or baptized near the feast on April 11. As a monastic, he is also asked for help in prayer, fasting, and repentance.
Prayer
O holy John, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.