St John lived between 676 and 749,during the reign of Leondios III,in Damascus ,Syria.The Orthodox Church celebrates his day on December 4th every year.It is believed that he actually died on December 5th.

His parents were Greeks who had settled in Syria.At the time there were very few Christians in Syria.His father was called Sergio and he was a high ranking official in the Government under the caliph.

St John was taught by Kosmas, a very wise Greek teacher from Italy,whom his father had freed from slavery.St John excelled in many subjects including Theology,Philosophy,Astronomy and Music. When his father died ,he went into the service of the Arab caliph,like his late father before him.He became Chief Counsellor of Damascus.

It was during his time that a movement grew up seeking to prevent the veneration of Icons.This soon started to gain acceptance in the Byzantine Court. In the year 726 the Emperor Leondios III issued his first edict against the veneration of Icons and their display in public places.St John went to the defence of the Icons with his pen. He proved the place the icons warranted in Orthodox Christianity by historical evidence,and the sword of his words and spirit, declaring the Iconoclasts as Anti-Christian Heretics.He wrote three treatises called "Apologetic Treatises against those Decrying the Holy Images."

Leondios III was furious.He did not like John,but he could not attack him openly. He managed to get hold of a manuscript written and signed by St John, and forged his signature on a letter in which supposedly St John offered to hand over the City of Damascus to the Emperor. This letter was given to the caliph as supposed proof of John's treachery.

The caliph was furious. He ordered John to be brought before him. Without giving John a chance to explain, he ordered that they cut off his right hand,the hand which had been used to write the supposed "betrayal." This was done, and his hand was hung in the market for general show.That night John sent a go-between to the caliph to ask for his hand so that he could bury it. His hand was returned to him, and he took it into a little church he had in his house. All night he cried and prayed to the Virgin Mary.He made a vow to her that if she restored his hand he would write hymns to the glory of God. Eventually he fell asleep. He saw the Mother of Our Lord in front of him.
"Look, your hand is healed ," she said.
"Now do as you promised."
John awoke and saw that his hand was restored. He was overjoyed and sang hymns all night in praise of Our Lady. He freed his servants, split his wealth, and went to St Savvas Monastery to become a monk,despite the pleas of the caliph to re-instate him in his post.

St John was humble, and always listened to his teacher. He did not do anything unless his teacher gave his permission

One day the monk in the next cell asked St John to compose a hymn to the dead. John did this and he sang it in his cell. When his teacher heard this, he ordered John to clean all the toilets as a punishment. This he did without hesitation. One night the Virgin Mary appeared to the teacher and told him that he should not suppress John, as John would be taking over the harp of David.

From that time St John worked unrestricted. He wrote many hymns and sermons praising God , The Virgin Mary and other Saints. Among them were the "Fountain of Knowledge" or the "Fountain of Wisdom" and "An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith." The third section in this book is considered his most important work, and a treasue of the Christian faith.