Where he came from, who his parents were, where he began his asceticism – it is not known. When he came to Mount Athos, he found himself an elder spiritual father who, out of love for him, taught him unconditional obedience. Striving for a virtuous life, he later secluded himself in a cave on a rock on the southern side of Mount Athos, where he waged a constant battle with demons. There, after his asceticism had become famous far and wide, at the behest of the Mother of God herself, he founded a monastery which he called Bethlehem, because a star had shown him where to build it, and which was later called Simonopetra. He performed wonderful asceticism and miracles both during his lifetime and after his death. Myrrh flowed from his relics. He peacefully reposed and passed away to the Lord Jesus Christ in 1257.

The Holy 20,000 Martyrs of Nicomedia. The Holy Martyr Domna. The Feast of the Nativity of Christ.