Venerable John the Hermit began his ascetic life at a young age according to records. He was born in Armenia to an Orthodox Christian mother in the fourth century. John was the spiritual son of St. Pharmutius who discipled him for a time. Eventually John chose to enter into a greater solitude, taking abode in the depths of a dry well where Pharmutius would bring him bread daily; bread provided by an angel according to sacred tradition. Venerable John lived the life of hermit with great ascetic fervor for ten years and then is held to have gone to the Lord.