Saint John Cassian

c. 360 – 435 · Post-Nicene Latin Fathers · Latin / Eastern monastic

Commemorated February 29 → · Feb 28 in non-leap years

Founder of the abbey of St Victor in Marseilles; the principal bridge between Egyptian desert monasticism and the Latin West. His twelve books of Institutes describe the practice of cenobitic life and the eight principal vices; his twenty-four Conferences record his interviews with the great Desert Fathers of Scetis and Nitria, including St Anthony's disciples. The Institutes and Conferences are foundational for Orthodox monastic theology and stand alongside the Sayings of the Desert Fathers and the Ladder of Divine Ascent as the canonical witnesses to early monastic spirituality. Commemorated as a saint in the Orthodox Church on 29 February.

Icon: John Cassian · Unknown authorUnknown author · Public domain