Hierarch7th century

Zosimus Bishop of Syracuse

c. 570 – 662

Also known as Zosimas of Syracuse

Raised in monastic life from childhood at the monastery of St. Lucy in Sicily, he later became bishop of Syracuse.

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Commemorated as

Our Father among the Saints Zosimus, Bishop of Syracuse

Life

Zosimus was a seventh-century bishop of Syracuse in Sicily, formed from childhood in the monastic life at the monastery of Saint Lucy near that city. According to his life, he was born in answer to his parents' prayers after a long period of childlessness, and at the age of seven he was given over to the monastery for his upbringing and education. He is commemorated on March 30.

After many years in the community he received the monastic tonsure as an adult and in time was made abbot. The Orthodox account relates that he governed the monastery for forty years before being called to the episcopate, while Western hagiographic summaries describe a similar long monastic career. He was consecrated Bishop of Syracuse and led the see until his death in 662.

As bishop he was remembered for his charity and his freedom from avarice, leading his flock by word and by example. His life records that he bore the suffering of his final illness with humility, and that after his death many of the sick received healing by touching his tomb.

Troparion1 hymnReadHide

TroparionTone 4

In truth you were revealed to your flock as a rule of faith,
an image of humility and a teacher of abstinence;
your humility exalted you;
your poverty enriched you.
Hierarch Father Zosimus,
entreat Christ our God
that our souls may be saved.

Text used with permission of the Orthodox Church in America (oca.org).

Timeline4 momentsReadHide

c. 570BirthBorn, by tradition, in answer to his parents' prayers after a long childlessness.
c. 577Entered the monasteryGiven to the monastery of Saint Lucy near Syracuse at the age of seven.
641–649Consecrated bishopMade Bishop of Syracuse, his appointment confirmed under Pope Theodore (641–649).
662ReposeDied in Syracuse after leading the see; healings were reported at his tomb.

Contributions & Legacy

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Monastic Formation

Zosimus was raised at the monastery of Saint Lucy in Syracuse, the same community over which Saint Faustus was abbot. The tradition relates that as a boy he found the silence and labors of the monastery difficult and once left without permission to return to his parents, who scolded him and sent him back; the abbot received him again.

By tradition he was entrusted with the guardianship of the tomb of Saint Lucy in the monastery church. When the abbacy fell vacant, the account relates that he had been left behind to watch over the relics while the brethren consulted the bishop; the bishop, judging his humility a mark of fitness, appointed him abbot, after which his wisdom and virtue became evident in the governance of the community.

Episcopate

When the see of Syracuse became vacant, the people sought Zosimus as their bishop, and he was consecrated, though by tradition reluctant to accept the office. The Orthodox synaxarion records that he led his flock for thirteen years; Western sources place his episcopate as confirmed under Pope Theodore, whose pontificate ran from 641 to 649.

His tenure was marked by charity to the poor and by the instruction of his people. He died in 662 and was venerated as a confessor and wonderworker, with healings reported at his tomb.

Companions1 figureShowHide

Abbot: head of the monastery of St. Lucy in Syracuse where Zosimus was formed from boyhood.

Faustusof Syracuse

Related Saints1 saintShowHide

Saints connected to his life, mission, and place in Orthodox tradition.

Patron of his monastery: the third-century martyr of Syracuse whose monastery formed Zosimus and whose tomb he is said to have guarded, generations before his own day.

Virgin Martyr Lucyof Syracuse

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Sources: OCA Synaxarion (oca.org), Lives of the Saints