From the Prologue of Ochrid
John was from Nicopolis in Armenia, son of Eucrates and mother Euphemia. In his eighteenth year he became a monk and struggled firmly and resolutely, cleansing his heart with many tears, fasting and prayer. After ten years he was appointed Bishop of Colsonia. By his example he drew to a God-pleasing life his brother Pergamius and his uncle Theodore, men distinguished at the courts of Emperors Zeno and Justinian. Seeing the malice and turmoil of this world, which he could not heal, he left the episcopal throne and disguised as a simple monk came to the monastery of Saint Sabas near Jerusalem, where for many years he remained unknown, performing conscientiously and excellently every service to which the abbot assigned him. Because of this Saint Sabas proposed him to Patriarch Elias, that he ordain him a presbyter. When the patriarch wanted to ordain John, John confessed to him that he was already in episcopal rank. Then Saint John shut himself up in his cell, and in silence and prayer spent years and years. Then in the desert he spent nine years feeding only on wild herbs, and then returned again to the monastery. He turned the faithful away from the heresy of Origen and contributed much to the suppression and condemnation of that heresy. He saw clearly into the spiritual world and healed people from diseases. Having conquered himself, he easily conquered demons. Great in humility, strength, and divine wisdom, this servant of Christ reposed peacefully in the year 558, in the one hundred and fourth year of his life.
