Venerable Akakios of Sinai, mentioned in The Ladder

Akakios is known from The Ladder of Divine Ascent, written by John Climacus of Sinai, who knew the story from John the Sabaite. He was a young monk who lived under a harsh, slack and ill-tempered elder. For nine years he endured beatings and scolding without complaint. When John Climacus asked how he was, Akakios said, “Well, as before the Lord”, and showed him his bruised eyes and head wounds.

He fell ill, died and was buried. Five days later the elder told a neighbouring abbot that Akakios had died, and the abbot, according to the story, did not believe it and called out at the grave, “Brother Akakios, are you dead?” The reply reported in the Ladder was that an obedient man cannot die. The elder then lived in a cell by the grave in repentance.