He was born in the Armenian city of Meleti, on the Euphrates River, around 377 AD, to illustrious parents. His mother Dionysia had a heavenly vision of his birth. He practiced asceticism from a young age, first near his city, and then in the Pharos Desert, between Jerusalem and Jericho. Many disciples gathered around him, among them future famous saints: Cyriacus the Hermit, Sava the Sanctified, Theoctist and others. He cast out demons, cured serious illnesses, brought water to the desert, multiplied bread, and prophesied. He said: “What salt is to bread, love is to the other virtues.” A huge laurel tree grew near his cave during his lifetime. He reposed in 473 AD. On the seventh day after his death, he appeared to his disciple Domentian, all radiant.

Holy Martyrs Henen, Niren, and Pen.