A native of Mount Sabarat, from the tribe of Simeon. He lived in the 7th century BC, during the reign of King Josiah of Judah. ​​A contemporary of the prophet Jeremiah. Possessing great humility and a pure mind and exalted to God, he was granted the gift of foresight into the future. He prophesied the day of God's wrath, punishment upon Gaza, Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron, Nineveh, Jerusalem, and Egypt. He spoke of Jerusalem: "Woe to the rebellious and defiled city, the oppressor! She does not listen to the voice, does not accept instruction, does not trust in the Lord, does not draw near to her God" (Zeph. 3:1-2). And announcing the time of the coming of the Messiah, he cries out: "Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; Rejoice and be glad with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!” (Zeph. 3:14). He reposed in his birthplace.

Saint John the Silent. Hieromartyr Theodore, Archbishop of Alexandria. Venerable Theodulus. Venerable Sava of Storozhevsky. Christmas Fast