Commemorated on April 18
Saint John was born at the end of the eighth century. At a young age he became a disciple of St Gregory of Decapolis (November 20) and accepted monastic tonsure from him at a monastery in Thessalonica. Under the guidance of this experienced teacher, St John attained great spiritual perfection.
When the emperor Leo the Armenian (813-820) renewed the persecution against Orthodox Christians because they venerated the holy icons, St Gregory of Decapolis and St Joseph the Hymnographer (April 4) and his disciple St John went from Thessalonica to Constantinople, to raise opposition to the Iconoclast heresy.
In spite of persecution, Sts Gregory and John fearlessly defended Orthodoxy for several years, and preached the veneration of icons. After many hardships St Gregory died (around 820), and soon after, his faithful disciple John also departed to the Lord. St Joseph the Hymnographer transferred the relics of Sts Gregory and John and placed them in the church of St Nicholas the Wonderworker.
Troparion - Tone 8
The image of God was truly preserved in you, O Father,for you took up the Cross and followed Christ.By so doing doing you taught us to disregard the flesh for it passes awaybut to care instead for the soul, since it is immortal.Therefore your spirit, venerable John, rejoices with the angels.
Kontakion - Tone 1
Blessed John, with the Lord¹s Cross upon your shoulder,you climbed to the summit of virtues.In place of passing pleasuresyou attained the glory of the Kingdom of Heaven.
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