Saint
John
Holy Father John the Righteous, disciple of St. Gregory of Decapolis
New Calendar April 18 Old Calendar May 1
Why they are a saint
He entered monastic life when young and became a disciple of St Gregory of Decapolis (Nov. 20). In the days of the iconoclast heresy, he was privileged to be tortured along with his teacher St Gregory and St Joseph the Hymnographer (April 3) for their defense of the holy icons. When Gregory died, John became Abbot of the Decapolite monastery in Constantinople.
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 18. Greek Orthodox faithful also honor his as one of their own.
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.