[1] He is venerated as a saint in the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches Not much is known about John's early life, though it is known he was not ordained.
[2] Jennifer Hevelone-Harper identifies him as John of Beersheba, a monk with whom Barsanuphius of Gaza corresponded, though this remains contested.
[2] He practiced a life of silence and according to the Christian view earned the gifts of prophecy and perspicacity, for which he received the death, he was close to Barsanuphius of Palestine, with whom he exchanged letters.
[1] According to Church tradition he knew the date of his demise and in response to Abba Elianus' request he postponed his death for two weeks in order to instruct him how to run the cloister.
[4] The feast day of John the prophet is marked by Eastern Orthodox Church on February, 6 (Old style).