John Cassian: The Leap Year Contemplative

February 29 is the feast day of St. John Cassian — who, in addition to being a “leap year saint” is also one of the most important early contemplatives in the Christian tradition.

Icon of John Cassian (public domain, image courtesy of Wikipedia).

Cassian (ca. 360-435) brought monasticism — and, therefore, contemplative spirituality — from the deserts of t…