John of Hippo
Old man from Hippo, leper for fifteen years, healed by Jesus.
"He was rich, You know? We remember him. [...] The more sorrow struck him, the more holy he became. [...] We do not know how it happened. They say that it was brought about by some pilgrims to whom he gave hospitality. They were going to Jerusalem, so they said. They appeared to be sound, but they were certainly lepers. [...] The children: three, died soon. Then the wife, and she died more of grief than of disease… [...] he repeats the Scriptures by heart. He repeats them to the stars, to herbs, to trees, to birds, he repeats them to us who have so much to learn from him, and he comforts our sorrows… he, wonder of wonders! comforts our sorrows. People come from Hippo and Gamala and even from Gherghesa and Aphek to hear him. When he heard of the miracle of the two men possessed… oh! he began to preach faith in You. Lord, if men greeted You with Your name of Messiah, if women greeted You as victor and king, if children know Your name and that You are the Holy One of Israel, that is due to the poor leper [...]"[1]
Character and Appearance[edit | edit source]
A dignified old man, ascetic in his thinness.
Apostolic Journey[edit | edit source]
"- 'How can you believe in the Unknown One and see in Him the Expected One? What am I for you? The Unknown…' - 'No. You are the Son of the living God. [...] Jesus, Son of the Father, Word Incarnate and God like the Father.'"[2]
His Name[edit | edit source]
Yohanân means "the Eternal has shown Grace, has been favorable." Historical reference: a fairly common name among characters of the Old Testament without one standing out particularly.