The Orthodox Church celebrates March 17 every year the memory of Saint Gerasim of Jordan, who led an ascetic way life.

St. Gerasim was born in the modern territory of Turkey, later moved to Palestine (Jordan desert) and founded a monastery. The monk extremely limited himself in food and secluded himself five days a week. Gerasim of Jordan died around 475.

On the icons next to the saint, a lion is often depicted: according to legend, Gerasim healed the wounded paw of a lion that approached him in the desert. As a sign of gratitude, the animal stayed with him until his death. Interestingly, in Catholicism, a similar story of the taming of the beast is associated with Jerome.