St. John of Damascus

Barlaam and Ioasaph St. John of Damascus

John of Damascus was interested in law, theology, philosophy and music. He was the Chief Administrator to the Muslim caliph of Damascus, wrote works expounding the Christian faith, and composed hymns which are still in everyday use in Eastern Christian monasteries. The hagiographic novel Barlaam and Josaphat was traditionally attributed to John, but is in fact a work of written by the Georgian monk Euthymios in the 11th century. King Abenner or Avenier in India persecuted the Christian Church, founded by the Apostle Thomas. When astrologers predicted that his own son would some day become a Christian, Abenner had the young prince Josaphat isolated. Despite the imprisonment, Josaphat met the hermit Saint Barlaam and converted to Christianity. Josaphat kept his faith even in the face of his father's rage. Eventually, Abenner converted, gave his throne to Josaphat, and went into the desert to become a hermit.