The Feast of St John the Short

Prepared for the Feast of St John the Short on 31 October, this book follows the remarkable life of one of the desert’s most beloved saints. From his simple beginnings in Thebes to his years of solitude and prayer in the wilderness of Scetis, St John’s story is one of humility, obedience, and quiet strength.

Readers will encounter his deep devotion to his teacher, Abba Pemwah, the miracle of the Tree of Obedience, and his gentle guidance of St Paesa toward repentance. Woven through these accounts are hymns, prayers, and sayings that reveal his wisdom and his tender, disciplined heart.

St John’s life continues to speak to all who seek God with sincerity—offering a timeless example of faith, purity, and perseverance in the spiritual journey.