Venerable Theoctistus

Theoctistus was a hermit in the Judean desert and a friend of St Euthymius the Great. According to Butler, about five years after Euthymius settled near Jerusalem, the two moved together to a cave on the road to Jericho and lived on wild herbs. About 411 disciples began to gather around them, and a monastery grew up there. Euthymius left its running to Theoctistus and himself lived in a remote hermitage, receiving visitors only on Saturdays and Sundays. Theoctistus died in 467, and the monastery in the Wadi Mukallik carries his name.