John the Prophet, known also as Venerable John, practiced a life of silence and earned the gifts of prophecy and perspicacity, for which he received the designation of prophet. During 18 years, up to his death, he lived near the Barsanuphius. Knowing the date of his demise and in response to Abba Elianus' request he postponed his death for two weeks in order to instruct him how to run the cloister.