Venerable John Koukouzelis (12th Century) — October 1 / October 14 (Julian Calendar)

On this day, October 1 according to the Julian Calendar (October 14 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates the Venerable John Koukouzelis.

The Venerable John Koukouzelis was born in Dyrrachium (in Bulgaria) and was orphaned in his childhood. Endowed by the Lord with a beautiful voice, he was enrolled in the school attached to the imperial court of Constantinople. Thanks to his remarkable talent he won the favour of the Emperor John Komnenos (1118–1143) and became the first singer of the court; but the splendid life of the palace did not attract the God-loving youth. Inwardly he dreamed of the life of a hermit, and sought a spiritual father and a fitting time. At that time, by the will of God, John met in Constantinople an abbot from Athos who had come on the business of his monastery. The blessed one revealed to him his intention and went with him to the Holy Mountain. There the holy father was tonsured a monk and was given as his obedience the tending of the monastery’s flock. John would drive the animals deep into the wilderness of Athos, and there in solitude he meditated upon the providence of God and glorified the Lord with song. Out of humility John did not reveal his former station and his talent to the abbot. But by God’s providence everything became known to the abbot, who feared the wrath of the Emperor, who might find his chosen singer and have him brought back from the Holy Mountain; so he travelled to Constantinople, told the Emperor about his former subject, and asked him not to hinder the young monk from walking the saving path he had chosen.

From that time on, John Koukouzelis sang in the church on Sundays and on other feasts. For his diligent labours he was deemed worthy of a great mercy from the Theotokos herself: once, after singing the Akathist before the icon of the Most Holy Virgin, John in a vision during sleep beheld the Heavenly Queen herself, who said to him: “Sing, and do not cease. I shall never forsake you.”

Saint John foresaw the approach of his end, bade farewell to the brethren, and asked to be buried in the church of the Archangels which he himself had built.