Saint Germanus the Daco-Roman was born in the mid-fourth
century, probably on the borders of Cassian and the Caves in the
diocese of Tomis (in what is now Romania), and was related to St
John Cassian (February 29). St Germanus, who was older than St
John, was tonsured at one of the local monasteries when he was
still a young man. The holy bishop St Theotimus I (April 20) may
have been his Spiritual Father. In turn, St Germanus became the
Spiritual Father, friend, and teacher of St John Cassian,
instructing him in monastic perfection. They both lived at one
of the monasteries of Dacia Pontica for a short time, and then
worked together in Bethlehem from 380-385. Later, they traveled
to Egypt and visited some of its cenobitic monasteries. They
also visited the hermits of Nitria and Mount Sinai, seeking to
benefit from their holy example and wise counsel. Sts Germanus
and John went to Constantinople in 399 in order to be near St
John Chrysostom (November 13), and around this time Germanus was
deemed worthy of ord