St. Modestos of Jerusalem, Patriarch and Protector of Animals

Who was St. Modestos of Jerusalem?

St. Modestos of Jerusalem was a monk, abbot and finally patriarch of the Holy City in the dark years of the seventh century. When a Persian army took Jerusalem in 614, burned its churches and carried away its patriarch and the relic of the True Cross, Modestos stayed, buried the dead and rebuilt. In the Orthodox world, though, most people know him for something else. Greek Christians call him the protector of animals, and on his feast priests go from stable to stable blessing the flocks.

We keep his feast on December 18.

Two lives of St. Modestos

The Orthodox tradition remembers him in two ways, and it helps to keep them apart.

The patriarch of history

The historical Modestos was born at Sebasteia in Cappadocia, became a monk and rose to be abbot of the great monastery of St. Theodosius the Cenobiarch in the Judean desert. In 614 the armies of the Persian king Chosroes overran Syria and Palestine. The Orthodox Church in America's life says that 90,000 Christians were killed, many churches were destroyed, and Patriarch Zacharias was led into captivity together with the Cross of the Lord.

Modestos was chosen to govern the Church of Jerusalem in the patriarch's absence. He buried the murdered monks of the monastery of St. Sabbas, and with money and help sent by St. John the Merciful, patriarch of Alexandria, he restored the ruined holy places, among them the Church of the Holy Sepulchre that St. Helena and Constantine had built. He governed in Zacharias's place for about fourteen years. Then the old patriarch came home from captivity, and with him came the Cross of the Lord, recovered from the Persians. After Zacharias died, Modestos became patriarch himself, though only for a short time. He died in 634, at about 97, and was succeeded by St. Sophronius.

The Modestos of the synaxarion

A second, more legendary life is read in Greek churches and retold by Ancient Faith Radio's Saint of the Day. In it Modestos is the orphan of martyred parents from Sebasteia, raised by pagans, baptized in secret at thirteen, sold into slavery in Egypt by jealous foster brothers, and freed after converting his master. On pilgrimage to Jerusalem, the doors of the Holy Sepulchre open at his prayer and the people choose him as their archbishop. One version says he died in peace; another that he was beheaded in old age. These stories are traditional, and the Church of Greece itself admits that "little is known about his life."

The miracles of St. Modestos

• Healing people and animals: traditional. His lives say he healed the sick and their livestock by his prayers.
• The farmer's oxen: traditional. Greek tradition tells of a poor farmer whose plow oxen fell dead, and of Modestos raising them to life so the man could feed his family.

Why St. Modestos is the protector of animals

Because of these stories, the Church of Greece calls him "the Protector Saint especially of domesticated animals," and he is honored too as the protector of the plowing oxen that farm families once depended on. Farmers, shepherds and pet owners pray to him when an animal is sick or in danger. On his feast it is still the custom to sprinkle stables, sheepfolds and the homes of pets with holy water and ask his protection. See more causes on our patron saints page.

Symbols of St. Modestos in art

Icons show St. Modestos as an aged patriarch with a long white beard, in bishop's vestments with the omophorion, the long stole marked with crosses that Eastern bishops wear. He holds a Gospel book and raises his hand in blessing. Some icons add oxen, sheep or other farm animals at his feet, and where they appear they are the surest way to tell him apart from other bishop saints. The 1851 icon from the Bulgarian village of Zidarovo on this page is a good example: a small shepherd and his flock stand at the patriarch's feet.

Where St. Modestos is honored

The Orthodox Church in America records that his head is kept at Simonopetra Monastery on Mount Athos. In Jerusalem the Patriarchate keeps his feast at a chapel dedicated to him in the Abu Tor neighborhood, across the valley from Mount Zion; in 2015 Patriarch Theophilos came there to venerate him during the feast-day Liturgy.

Prayer to St. Modestos

Orthodox parishes honor him on his feast with the blessing of animals and their stables, and the faithful ask his help in their own words. We have not found a standard English prayer to quote. Let us ask St. Modestos, who rebuilt the house of God after war and cared for the poor farmer's oxen, to pray for every creature in our care and for all who suffer in war. Find other saints of December on our feast days page.