St. John the Arab

St. John the Arab

In hagiography: John the Arab was a monk who originally was from a rich family in Ḥirta. He studied at Nisibis, went to Mount Sinjar, and became a shepherd. He found a place on Mount Izla, and he performed many miracles. Many fought over his relics after his death, and a monastery was built over his remains near the monastery of Mar Awgin.August 29th is the dukhrono of St. John the Arab (Mor Yuhannon Tayoyo) according to the Liturgical Calendar of the Syriac Orthodox Church. Mor Yuhannon Tayoyo was a 5th century monk and the third abbott of Dayro d-Mor Augin.In his hagiography, there is a miracle in regards to transformation of water into wine. Once John was sent to the village by his abbot St. Andreas to buy wine for the Holy Qurbono. On arriving there, he gave away the money meant for the purchase of wine to a poor man begging at the village gate. As he had no money to buy the wine, Mor Yuhannon filled the barrels with water and returned, worried at what the abbot would say. He reported the matter to the abbot. On inspection, they found to their surprise that the water had miraculously turned into wine.This miracle of St. John the Arab is commemorated in one of the Huthomo of the Syriac Orthodox Liturgy:"Saint John who trans-formed water into superb wine, Ahudemeh - who restrained death - by his incense, Those cave dwellers - Matthew, Zachai - and Companions Abraham and – Daniel are – praying for us."- General Huthomo I, (Tune of Mor Yac'ub) English text from JSC Publications English Huthomo book (Courtesy Qleedo+ app)Life of St. John the Arab: https://bit.ly/LifeJohnArab RSoH