St. Gerasimus of the Jordan
Like so many hermits, Gerasimus gave up a wealthy lifestyle to live a life of solitude in the Jordanian desert. However, others were impressed by his lifestyle and followed him. He built a monastery where monks had to live a strict ascetic life. It is Gerasimus who famously pulled a thorn from a lion's paw. The lion became his companion and was distraught at his master's death, lying on his grave and eventually dying himself a few days later.
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