In the sermon delivered on Monday at the Chozeba Monastery, on the feast of Saint John Jacob the New Chosebite, Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem spoke about the Romanian saint pointing out that he learned the humility and meekness from Christ.
“Saint John Jacob accomplished his completeness because he was taught by Christ Himself the meekness and humility of the heart. learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart (Matt.11:29) the Lord says.
“This very meekness and humility of the heart we are also called to acquire, my dear Brethren, imitating our Saint John Jacob, as he became an imitator of Christ and managed his deification, becoming like the Holy great monastics George and Ioannis the Hozevites”.
His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos of Jerusalem presided over the All-Night Vigil.
The Holy Synod of the Jerusalem Patriarchate resolved to proclaim the sainthood of Saint John Jacob in 2015, with the ceremony taking place on January 31, 2016, establishing his feast day on August 10.
Saint John, born in Botosani County, Romania, conducted a life of spiritual feats and ascetism at the Holy Monastery of Chozeba.
During his last eight years, he lived in a cave, called Saint Anna, close to St George the Chosebite Monastery, where he fell asleep on August 5, 1960, at the age of 47.
Rev. John Jacob of Neamt was glorified by the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church on June 20, 1992, establishing his feast day on August 5, the day of his blessed repose.
Photo courtesy of The Jerusalem Patriarchate
