Born in 5th Century Constantinople, John Calabytes was the son of wealthy Christian parents. Despite his life of luxury, he felt a draw to the austere life of a monk. At his request, his parents hired a calligrapher to make him a copy of the Gospels, and they had it lavishly bound and decorated. At the age of 13, he secretly left home with a monk to join a monastery. After six years, he felt sorrow for leaving his family and got permission to return home. Dressed as a beggar, he settled in a little hut in a corner of his parent’s property, and for three years his father sent food to the unknown homeless man. When he was near death at the age of 24, he finally revealed his identity to his parents.
CHALLENGE
St. John Calabytes revealed his identity to his parents by handing them the ornate Gospel they had made for him, saying, “May this console you in this life, and guide you to the next life.” Do you know someone who could use a copy of the Bible? Buy one that is beautiful to the eyes, inscribe it with St. John Calabytes’ message to his parents, and give it as an unexpected gift.
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