St. John Cassian

John Cassian and his friend Germanus became monks in Bethlehem and then spent years with the desert fathers of Egypt. He was ordained deacon by St. John Chrysostom in Constantinople. Around 415 he founded two monasteries in Marseille and wrote the Institutes and the Conferences, which passed on the teaching of the desert to Western monks, including St. Benedict. His feast falls on February 29, so in most years it is kept on the 28th.

• Feast: February 29 (New Calendar)
• Lived: c. 360–435
• Place: Marseille