Venerable (Monastic) 4th century

Venerable Zeno the Hermit of Antioch

c. 339 – early 5th century

Also known as Zeno, disciple of St. Basil the Great

A courier of the imperial post who, moved by St. Basil the Great, gave away his wealth and lived in a tomb near Antioch in great austerity.

Feast Day

January 30

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Commemorated as

Our Venerable Father Zeno the Hermit of Antioch, Disciple of Saint Basil the Great

Life

Zeno the Hermit was a fourth-century ascetic of Antioch who, before withdrawing into solitude, had served in the imperial post under the Emperor Valens (reigned 364–378). Born into a wealthy family in the region of Pontus around 339, he was a courier of the cursus publicus, the public courier system through which the emperor's edicts were carried — an office entrusted only to those judged physically fit and morally incorruptible, since such messengers bore the personal confidence of the emperor.

According to the tradition recorded of him, a royal errand to Bishop Basil of Caesarea — Saint Basil the Great — proved decisive for the rest of his life. Moved by Basil's preaching and his humble, ascetic example, Zeno became his disciple and gave away his wealth. After the death of Valens in 378 he abandoned his post and left the world, settling near the city of Antioch, where he lived in great austerity and solitude for some forty years until his repose at the beginning of the fifth century.

Timeline 5 moments Read Hide

c. 339 Birth in Pontus Zeno was born around 339 in the region of Pontus into a wealthy family.
c. 364 Service in the imperial post Summoned to the imperial court, he served under the Emperor Valens among the couriers of the cursus publicus who carried the emperor's edicts, an office reserved for men judged physically fit and morally incorruptible.
Reign of Valens (364–378) Disciple of Saint Basil the Great A royal mission to Bishop Basil of Caesarea brought Zeno under Basil's influence; drawn by Basil's preaching and humble ascetic life, he became his disciple and gave away his wealth.
378 Withdrawal to the solitary life Upon the death of Valens in 378, Zeno abandoned his post, left the world, and settled in solitude near Antioch.
early 5th century Repose After about forty years of austere solitary life near Antioch, Zeno reposed at the beginning of the fifth century.

Contributions & Legacy

2 contributions Read Hide

The solitary life near Antioch

After leaving the imperial service, Zeno settled near the city of Antioch and lived there in complete solitude for some forty years, cleansing his soul and devoting himself to the contemplation of God. His dwelling held neither bed, nor fireplace, nor lamp; he slept on grass laid over stones, wore old rags, and ate only bread, which a friend brought him every two days, drinking water that he fetched himself from far off. He came into the city on Sundays to receive Communion, and borrowed sacred books from those who sought the spiritual life. He was remembered for his deep humility, accounting himself poor in spirit.

Veneration and patronage

Zeno is commemorated on January 30. Because of his earlier service as a courier of the imperial post, he came to be associated with those who carry the mails: in 1968 the Greek Post Office declared him the patron of postal workers, with a commemorative postal-workers' holiday observed on February 10.

Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org), Jan 30