Venerable John of Kozeba, Bishop of Caesarea (6th c.) — October 3 / October 16 (Julian Calendar)

On this day, October 3 according to the Julian Calendar (October 16 civil calendar), the Georgian Orthodox Church commemorates Venerable John of Kozeba, Bishop of Caesarea.

Venerable John of Kozeba, Bishop of Caesarea, was born in Thebes, a city of Upper Egypt, and in his youth went with his grandfather into the desert to labor in asceticism. When word of John’s holy life spread, he was appointed Bishop of Caesarea. Saint John governed his flock with wisdom and love; endowed with the gifts of foresight and wonderworking, the hierarch remained at heart a simple monk. He struggled against the Nestorian heresy that was then widespread, and labored tirelessly to strengthen Orthodox teaching and to root out vices among his flock. According to one account he held the episcopal see until 536; according to another, from 587 to 596. Afterward the father, who longed for solitude, withdrew to the desert of Kozeba and struggled there until his repose.