Zacharias the Shoemaker and John

Righteous Zacharias the Shoemaker and John, who lived hidden lives of virtue in Constantinople.

Tradition relates that John, a pious man of Constantinople, prayed to be shown someone with whom he would share eternal life, and was directed to Zacharias, a humble shoemaker. He found that Zacharias and his wife lived in poverty, giving away most of their earnings and keeping a secret vow of chastity.

The two are honoured together as examples of hidden holiness among laypeople.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, Zacharias the Shoemaker and John is commemorated on November 17. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on November 30 of the civil calendar.

Also commemorated on November 17

• 

  Gregory the Wonderworker

  Hierarch, Γρηγόριος Θαυματουργός

  Bishop Gregory the Wonderworker of Neocaesarea.

  Name days: Grigorios, Gregory, Greg

• Gennadios and Maximos of Constantinople

  Hierarch, Γεννάδιος και Μάξιμος Πατριάρχες

  Saints Gennadios I and Maximos III, Patriarchs of Constantinople.

  Name days: Gennadios, Gennadius, Gennadis

• Lazarus the Iconographer

  Venerable, Λάζαρος ο Ζωγράφος

  Venerable Lazarus the Iconographer of Constantinople, confessor under the iconoclasts.

• Gennadios of Vatopedi

  Venerable, Γεννάδιος ο Βατοπαιδινός

  Venerable Gennadios of Vatopedi, steward of the monastery, witness of the miracle of the oil.

  Name days: Gennadios, Gennadius, Gennadis

• Nikon of Radonezh

  Venerable, Νίκων του Ραντονέζ

  Venerable Nikon, Abbot of Radonezh, disciple and successor of Saint Sergius.