He spent his young adulthood in the service of the Emperor Valens. Upon the death of the emperor Saint Zeno sought the ascetic life of a hermit. Near Antioch he took up residence in a cave where he dwelt far from society for some forty years. He became well known for his humility and holiness. Zeno the Hermit, of Antioch is commemorated 30 January in the Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic Churches.