Bishop John of Ephesus (AD 507-588)

John was born in the city of Amida (modern Diyarbakır) around 507. He became a significant leader of the Monophysite, Syriac-speaking Church. Jacob Baradaeus ordained John as the bishop of Ephesus, where he served for 30 years, from 558 to 588.

He built a large monastery at Tralles (modern Aydin), plus more than ninety other monasteries. John wrote a book series titled the Biographies of Eastern Saints around 569 and wrote Ecclesiastical History, which covered more than six centuries of the early church. He died in 588.