Saint John Theristus

Also known as

• John Theristes

Memorial

• 23 February
• 24 February (monastery of Bivongi, Italy)

Profile

His father was killed by Saracen raiders and his mother was enslaved while pregnant with him, taken from Calabria to Sicily. Raised as a Christian, at age 14 he escaped back to Calabria. Benedictine monk. He helped to miraculously harvest a large crop ahead of destructive weather, saving the locals from starvation, and gaining the title Theristes (harvester, mower). Founded the monastery at Bivongi, Italy; the house was later re-named in his hounour.

Born

• at Sicily of Calabrian parents

Died

• 1129 of natural causes

Additional Information

• Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate
• Catholic Online
• Katherine Rabenstein
• Medieval Religion Listserv, by John Dillon
• Our Sunday Visitor’s Encyclopedia of Saints

MLA Citation

• “Saint John Theristus“. Saints.SQPN.com. 22 February 2013. Web. 25 May 2013. <>