John of Lycopolis - Prophet in The Early Church
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Hashim WarrenJohn of Lycopolis - Prophet in The Early Church
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Hashim WarrenJohn of Lycopolis
John of Lycopolis (c. 305–394) was a celebrated hermit and ascetic who lived in the Egyptian
desert during the fourth century. He was renowned for his piety, his prophetic abilities, and his
extreme seclusion. John was born in Lycopolis (modern Asyut, Egypt) and began his monastic
life at the age of twenty-five. After spending five years in a cenobitic monastery he withdrew to
the desert where he lived in solitude for the rest of his life. He was walled up in a hermitage with
a single window opening onto the public, through which he preached to vast crowds each
weekend. According to some accounts, John was noted for performing seemingly absurd acts at
the bidding of the Holy Spirit, such as rolling rocks from place to place and cultivating dead
trees. He then withdrew to the top of a cliff, where he could avoid all human contact for the last
fifty years of his life.
Research Methodology
To gather information about John of Lycopolis, a variety of sources were consulted. First, the
works of those who wrote about John of Lycopolis were identified. These included the writings of
Palladius, Sozomen, Augustine, Cassian, and the Historia Monachorum in Aegypto. Next,
passages in these works that discussed John of Lycopolis and his prophetic powers were
located. Finally, other sources that mentioned John of Lycopolis, such as Rufinus of Aquileia
and Evagrius Ponticus, were examined.
Early Writings about John of Lycopolis
The main sources of information about John of Lycopolis are the writings of those who knew him
or who collected stories about him. These include:
Palladius of Galatia
Palladius (c. 363–431) was a Galatian monk, bishop, and chronicler. He is best known for his
Lausiac History, an account of early Egyptian and Middle Eastern Christian monasticism.
Palladius visited John of Lycopolis in 394, shortly before the latter's death. In his Lausiac
History, Palladius describes John as having been ordained by St. John Chrysostom and
imprisoned for eleven months in a dark cell.
Sozomen
Sozomen (c. 400–450) was a Christian church historian who wrote an Ecclesiastical History
covering the years 324–439. Sozomen mentions John of Lycopolis in his Ecclesiastical History.
He provides more information about John than Theodoret does, and he describes John's role at
the time of the victory of Theodosius I over Eugenius.
Augustine of Hippo
Augustine of Hippo (354–430) was a theologian and philosopher whose writings were deeply
influential in the development of Western Christianity. Augustine learned of John of Lycopolis
through Rufinus of Aquileia's Latin translation of the Historia Monachorum in Aegypto.
Augustine mentions John in his City of God, where he describes John's prediction of the victory
of Theodosius I over the usurpers Maximus and Eugenius.
John Cassian
John Cassian (c. 360–435) was a monk and theologian known for his writings on the monastic
life. Cassian's most famous works are the Institutes and the Conferences. Cassian also
mentions John of Lycopolis in his writings. He attributes John's prophetic charisma and the trust
he enjoyed "even among the kings of this world" to his virtue of obedience.
Historia Monachorum in Aegypto
The Historia Monachorum in Aegypto (also called the Lives of the Desert Fathers) is an
anonymous work from the late fourth century. It recounts the travels of seven Palestinian monks
on a pilgrimage through Egypt to visit the monks living there. The Historia Monachorum in
Aegypto provides the most detailed account of John of Lycopolis and his prophetic powers. The
anonymous author describes John as a strict recluse who lived in a cave and communicated
with visitors through a small window.
John of Lycopolis in the Early Writings
The early writings on John of Lycopolis provide a fascinating glimpse into the life of this
remarkable hermit. The Historia Monachorum in Aegypto states that John had the ability to
know "hidden things, present and to come" and to predict events like Nile floods and harvests.
He also had the gift of healing by the use of holy oil. John was said to have predicted that the
Ethiopians would invade Syene. He also reportedly prayed incessantly, including the last three
days of his life.
The different authors who wrote about John of Lycopolis emphasized different aspects of his
prophetic abilities. Cassian, for example, stressed the importance of John's obedience, while the
Historia Monachorum focused on his knowledge of hidden things. These different perspectives
provide a more complete understanding of John's life and teachings.
Other Early Accounts of John of Lycopolis
In addition to the five authors listed above, a number of other early texts mention John of
Lycopolis and his prophetic powers. These include:
● Rufinus of Aquileia (c. 345–411), who translated the Historia Monachorum in Aegypto into
Latin and added material of his own.
● Evagrius Ponticus (345–399), a monk and theologian who wrote about John of Lycopolis
in his Antirrhetikos.
● The Apophthegmata Patrum, a collection of sayings of the Desert Fathers, which includes
several stories about John of Lycopolis.
● The Coptic tradition, which tells about a woman visitor to Lycopolis who was cured and
received a prophecy from John.
Conclusion
John of Lycopolis was a significant figure in the early history of Christian monasticism. His
prophetic powers and his extreme seclusion made him a legend in his own time, and his story
continues to fascinate and inspire people today. The early writings about John provide valuable
insights into his life and teachings, and they help us to understand the development of early
Christian spirituality.
The different accounts of John's life offer a multifaceted understanding of his significance. While
some emphasize his prophetic abilities and knowledge of hidden things, others highlight his
obedience and dedication to prayer. Taken together, these accounts paint a picture of a man
who was deeply devoted to God and who sought to live a life of complete seclusion and spiritual
discipline. John's life and teachings offer insights into the appeal of asceticism and the search
for spiritual enlightenment in early Christianity. His example continues to inspire those who seek
to deepen their relationship with God through prayer, solitude, and self-denial.
Source Author Date Content
Lausiac History Palladius of Galatia c. 420 Describes John as
having been ordained
by John Chrysostom
Ecclesiastical History Sozomen c. 440–443 Mentions John's role in
the victory of
Theodosius I over
Eugenius
City of God Augustine of Hippo 413–426 Describes John's
prediction of the victory
of Theodosius I over
Maximus and Eugenius
Institutes, Conferences John Cassian c. 420–429 Attributes John's
prophetic powers to his
virtue of obedience
Historia Monachorum in Anonymous c. 394–395 Provides the most
Aegypto detailed account of
John's life and
prophetic powers
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