Saint John the Dwarf of Egypt struggled in the Egyptian desert in
the fifth century in the monastery of Saint Pimen the Great (August
27). It was to this monastery that the young John came with his brother
Daniel. Once, Saint John told his elder brother that he did not want to be concerned about clothing and food, and that he wished to live like the angels in Paradise. Daniel allowed him to go to a deserted place, so that he would be afflicted. John went out from the cell and removed his clothing. It was very cold at night, and after a week John became hungry.
One night John went back to the monastery and began to knock on the door of the cell. “Who is it?” Daniel asked.
“It is I, your brother John.”
Daniel replied, “John has become an angel, and is no longer among men.”
John continued to knock, but Daniel would not let him in until morning. Then he said, “You are a man and must work again if you want to eat.” Saint John wept bitterly, asking for forgiveness.
After being brought to his senses Saint John went to Saint Pimen, known for his firm and steadfast will, and having asked guidance, he promised to be obedient in all things. Testing the patience of the young monk, Saint Pimen gave him an unusual obedience. For three years Saint John carried water and poured it on a dry stick, until it became covered with leaves and bore abundant fruit. His Elder took the fruit to the brethren saying, “Take and eat the fruit of obedience.”
Later, Abba John himself became a guide of many people on the way of salvation, among whom were Saint Arsenius the Great (May 8) and Saint Thais (May 10).
Saint John was the author of the Life of Saint Paisius the Great (June 19).
Orthodox Church Quotes (icons)
“Abba John said, ‘Who sold Joseph?’ A brother replied saying, ‘It was
his brethren.’ The old man said to him, ‘No, it was his humility which
sold him, because he could have said, “I am their brother” and have
objected, but, because he kept silence, he sold himself by his humility.
It is also his humility which set him up as chief in Egypt.'” “Humility and the fear of God are above all virtues.”
“You know that the first blow the devil gave to Job was through his possessions; and he saw that he had not grieved him nor separated him from God. With the second blow, he touched his flesh, but the brave athlete did not sin by any word that came out of his mouth in that either. In fact, he had within his heart that which is of God, and he drew on that source unceasingly.”
“Even if we are entirely despised in the eyes of men, let us rejoice that we are honoured in the sight of God.”
+ St. John the Dwarf from The Sayings of the Desert Fathers
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The feast of the Angels & St. Nektarios the Wonderworker in the Orthodox Church (8 + 9 November)
Saint Menas the Egyptian, the Great Martyr and Wonderworker, November 11 (& the Battle of El Alamein)
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