St. John Psaltes (d. 600)

St. John Psaltes "The Chanter" abbot of Qinnesrin (ܩܢܫܪܝܢ) at the close of the sixth century, is the third of this name among the abbots of this monastery. Nicknamed "The Calligrapher," John was an adroit man of letters. He studied sciences at his monastery where he became a monk and was ordained a priest. He was known for his piety. His death is thought to have occurred around the year 600. According to the calendar of his monastery, he was commemorated on the thirteenth of January of the same year. He composed eloquent maniths poets, in one of which he made known the traits of John Bar Aphtonya. In another two maniths he praised the patriarchs Peter III and Julian I. (History of Syriac Literature and Sciences, Patriarch Ignatius Ephrem I Barsoum, Presseggiata Press, p 105).