John Theristus

Saint John Theristus
Born 1049
Sicily, Italy
Died 1129
Calabria, Italy
Venerated in Roman Catholic Church
Eastern Orthodox Church
Feast 23 February, Eastern Orthodox
24 February, Roman Catholic
History of San Giovanni Therestis (John Theristus) in Italian

Saint John Theristus (1049–1129) was an Italian Benedictine monk, called Theristus or “Harvester”.[1]

He was of Calabrian lineage, born in Sicily. John's Calabrian mother had been captured by the Saracens and brought to Sicily. He contrived to escape to Calabria while still a child, and there he became a Benedictine.[2] He helped to miraculously harvest a large crop ahead of destructive weather, saving the locals from starvation, and gaining the title attributed to him.[3] There he remained until his death of natural causes, in 1129.

The monastery of San Giovanni Theristis is entitled to him.

Notes

  1. St. John Theristus Catholic Online
  2. February 24 St. Patrick Catholic Church Saint of the Day
  3. Saint John Theristus Patron Saint Index