ABSTRACT
John says very little indeed about his own background. We do know the names of his grandparents and parents, for they are listed among the people to be commemorated annually on 24th September;6 both his grandmother and mother ended their lives as nuns. But where he was brought up and other aspects of his early life are a complete mystery. However, he had some illustrious benefactors; chief among these were Nikephoros Botaneiates and Eudokia Komnene, the daughter of the sebastocrator Isaac.7 He also lists among those to be commemorated the patriarch Nicholas III Grammatikos.8 From what he says about the benefactions he received, it is clear that Eudokia Komnene was especially generous, making a number of donations.91 get the impression also from short comments buried in his document that he had practised the ascetic life before he came to Phoberou, either in another community or possibly at home.10
