Venerable John of the Ancient Caves in Palestine

John was a monk and priest at the Old Lavra of St Chariton in the Judean wilderness near Jerusalem, in the eighth century. After leaving his homeland to wander as a monk, he came to Jerusalem to venerate the Holy Sepulchre and then settled at the lavra. He fasted strictly and kept all-night vigils.

He was called Ancient-Caver because the Old Lavra grew from the cave where robbers had once held Chariton captive; John lived in that ancient cave and served in the cave church.