Gerasimos of the Jordan

Venerable Gerasimos of the Jordan who tamed a lion.

St. Gerasimos was a fifth-century ascetic who founded a great monastery in the desert by the River Jordan, guiding many monks in a strict rule of poverty, silence, and prayer, and was counted among the great elders of the Palestinian desert.

He is best remembered for the lion who, according to tradition, was healed by the saint of a thorn in its paw and thereafter served him tamely until his death — an image of paradise restored around a man of God. The Church commemorates him on March 4.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Gerasimos of the Jordan is commemorated on March 4. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on March 17 of the civil calendar.

Who celebrates a name day

People with these names keep their name day on this feast:

Gerasimos, Gerasim

Also commemorated on March 4

• Paul and Juliana

  Martyr, Παύλος

  Holy Martyrs Paul and his sister Juliana of Ptolemais, with Stratonikos and companions.

• Gregory of Constantia and Adrianos

  Hierarch, Γρηγόριος

  Saint Gregory, Bishop of Constantia in Cyprus, with Saint Adrianos.

• Gregory of Assos

  Hierarch, Γρηγόριος της Άσσου

  Saint Gregory, Bishop of Assos in Asia Minor, wonderworker.

• Daniel of Moscow

  Saint, Δανιήλ της Μόσχας

  Right-believing Prince Daniel of Moscow, youngest son of Saint Alexander Nevsky.

• Gerasimos of Vologda

  Venerable, Γεράσιμος της Βολογκντά

  Venerable Gerasimos of Vologda, founder of the Trinity Monastery.

• Basil of Rostov

  Saint, Βασίλειος του Ροστώβ

  Right-believing Prince Basil (Vasilko) of Rostov, martyred by the Mongols.

Icon: public domain image from Wikimedia Commons.