St Germanus of Dacia Pontica (Dobrogea)

Commemorated on February 29

Saint Germanus the Daco-Roman was born in the mid-fourth century, probably on the borders of Cassian and the Caves in the diocese of Tomis (in what is now Romania), and was related to St John Cassian (February 29). St Germanus, who was older than St John, was tonsured at one of the local monasteries when he was still a young man. The holy bishop St Theotimus I (April 20) may have been his Spiritual Father.

In turn, St Germanus became the Spiritual Father, friend, and teacher of St John Cassian, instructing him in monastic perfection. They both lived at one of the monasteries of Dacia Pontica for a short time, and then worked together in Bethlehem from 380-385. Later, they traveled to Egypt and visited some of its cenobitic monasteries. They also visited the hermits of Nitria and Mount Sinai, seeking to benefit from their holy example and wise counsel.

Sts Germanus and John went to Constantinople in 399 in order to be near St John Chrysostom (November 13), and around this time Germanus was deemed worthy of ordination to the holy priesthood. When Chrysostom was deposed and exiled in 404, the two saints journeyed to Rome in order to plead his case before Pope Innocent I.

St Germanus completed the course of his life in the early fifth century, perhaps at the monastery estabished by St John Cassian at Marseilles, or in one of the monasteries of Dacia Pontica.

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