Saint · 450
Gerasimus of the Jordan
Venerable Gerasimus of the Jordan († 451)
New Calendar March 4 Old Calendar March 17
Why they are a saint
The Monk Gerasimos was a native of Lycia (Asia Minor). From his early years he was distinguished for his piety. Having then accepted monasticism, the monk withdrew into the depths of the Thebaid wilderness (in Egypt). Venerated as a monastic saint, honored for a life of prayer and asceticism.
Life
Saint Gerasimus was a native of Lycia. After receiving monastic tonsure he went to the desert of the Thebaid, and about 450 came to Palestine and founded a monastery by the Jordan. For a time he was drawn into the Monophysite heresy of Eutyches and Dioscorus, but Saint Euthymius the Great helped him return to the true faith.
He gave his monks a strict rule: five days a week in solitude with handicrafts and prayer, eating only dry bread, roots and water, and on Saturday and Sunday gathering for the Divine Liturgy and Holy Communion; their cells were never locked. He died peacefully, mourned by his disciples. A lion that had helped him in his tasks died at his grave, and so a lion is shown at his feet in icons.
Sources: OCA Lives of the Saints. Retold in our own words.
Traditional patronage
The cited source names no specific patronage.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Orthodox Christians usually take Gerasimus of the Jordan as a patron when they bear the name Gerasimus at baptism, or were born or baptized near the feast on March 4. Those who share his calling as a monastic also ask his prayers.
Prayer
O holy Gerasimus of the Jordan, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.