Saint John Theristus
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| Saint John Theristus | |
| Feast Day | February 23 |
|---|---|
| Liturgical Class | |
| Patronage | Harvesters, farmers |
| Birthplace | Palermo, Sicily, Italy |
| Death Place | Calabria, Italy |
| Cause of Death | Natural causes |
| Primary Shrine | Monastery of St. John Theristus, Calabria, Italy |
St. John Theristus, also known as John the Harvester, was a Basilian monk and miracle-worker born in Sicily around 1049[1].
His life was marked by extraordinary events, including escaping from Muslim captivity, founding a monastery, and performing miracles that helped farmers[2].
He is especially venerated for his association with agriculture, having miraculously saved a harvest from a storm[3].
Biography
Birth
John was born around 1049 in Palermo, Sicily[1].
Early Life
His mother was a Christian slave captured by Saracens, and he grew up in a Muslim environment but maintained his Christian faith[4].
Occupation
Before his monastic life, he likely had some experience with farming, given his later nickname[3].
Vocation
He escaped to Calabria at 14, where he later became a monk, eventually founding the Monastery of St. John in Nemore[1]. His life was dedicated to prayer, work, and helping others, particularly farmers.
Death
He died on June 24, 1129, in Calabria, Italy, from natural causes[1].
Significant events
- Miraculously crossed the Strait of Messina without sails or oars to escape from Sicily[2].
- Saved a harvest from destruction by a storm through prayer, earning him the nickname "Theristus" (Harvester)[4].
- Healed King Roger II of Sicily from a facial wound using his tunic[3].
Significant locations
Legend
Birth location: Palermo, Sicily, Italy
Death location: Calabria, Italy
Notable location:
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Notable location:
Death
St. John Theristus died peacefully in his monastery after a life of service and miracles.
Canonization
Servant of God
St. John was not formally recognized as a Servant of God through modern processes; he was recognized as such by tradition[2].
Venerable
Not applicable; recognized as a saint by tradition[2].
Beatification
Not formally beatified; recognized as a saint by the early Church[2].
Canonization
Canonized by tradition; no formal canonization date as he was recognized as a saint from early Christian times[2].
Miracles
Miracle for beatification
Not applicable for formal beatification, but his miracles, like saving the harvest, are well-documented[4].
Miracle for canonization
Not applicable; his sainthood is based on tradition and early Church recognition[2].
Other notable miracles
- Healed numerous people, including the blind, deaf, and those possessed[1].
Patronage
St. John Theristus is the patron saint of harvesters and farmers[1].
Feast day
His feast day is celebrated on February 23[2].
Veneration
St. John Theristus is venerated in both the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox Churches, with his relics held in Calabria. He is remembered for his dedication to monastic life, his miraculous interventions in agriculture, and his charitable acts[3].
Books
Written about the saint
- His life is recounted in various hagiographies, but no specific modern books were listed[3].
Written by the saint
- St. John Theristus did not leave any known written works[3].
External links
- Anast Paul on Saint John Theristus[1]
- Catholic Online article on St. John Theristus[2]
- The Path to Sainthood on John Theristus[4]
- Wikipedia entry on John Theristus[3]