ST. GERASIMOS OF JORDAN (MARCH 4TH)

A Contemporary Russian Icon of St. Gerasimos and His Pet Lion

Edited by Bp. Joseph (Ancient Church of the West)

St. Gerasimos of the Jordan, a shining light of the ascetic life, was born in the fifth century and became one of the great fathers of monasticism in the Holy Land. Drawn to the solitude of the desert, he forsook the world to dwell in prayer and fasting near the banks of the Jordan River. There, he founded a monastic community that combined rigorous ascetic discipline with charity, welcoming those who sought holiness through obedience and labor. His monastery became a beacon of spiritual formation, emphasizing the harmony between the eremitic and communal ways of life. 

St. Gerasimos was renowned for his humility and gentleness, not only toward his brethren but even toward the wild beasts of the desert. The most famous story of his life recounts how he encountered a lion suffering from a thorn embedded in its paw. With great compassion, the saint removed the thorn and tended to the creature’s wound. From that moment, the lion refused to leave his side, becoming a guardian of the monastery’s donkey and a silent witness to the saint’s holiness. This wondrous account has made St. Gerasimos a beloved figure in Christian iconography, often depicted alongside the lion. 

His devotion to Christ was marked by extreme fasting, consuming only a few dates and a little water during the entire season of Great Lent. His life exemplified the words of the Psalmist: "My soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is" (Psalm 63:1). His unwavering commitment to prayer and self-denial made him a pillar of monastic wisdom, and his counsel was sought by many. Among those influenced by him was St. Euthymius the Great, who testified to his sanctity. 

St. Gerasimos reposed in peace around the year AD 475. His relics became a source of healing, and his monastery, still standing near the Jordan River, remains a testament to the enduring power of holiness. He is venerated in both the Eastern and Western Orthodox traditions as a model of asceticism and Christian love. 

COLLECT 

O God, who didst lead Thy servant Gerasimos through the desert places of this world, and didst make him a wellspring of holiness in the midst of barrenness: Grant that we, following his example, may with single heart forsake the vanities of this life and cleave unto Thee alone, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen. 

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