Described as a Scythian by race (Σκύθης δὲ ἦν οὗτος τὸ γένος), Ioannes 220 had other names in the Bulgar language (he was presumably therefore a Bulgar himself), which meant black, a name given to him from his black monastic garb; he was an elderly hermit living with one companion at a place called Petra, near Skopelos, which was near Probaton in Thrace; he had a high reputation among the hermits living there and had the ability to foretell the future; he and his companion were joined there by Evarestos 1 (St Evarestos), when Evarestos first took up the religious life; Evarestos 1 remained with them for six months: Vita S. Evaristi 7 (pp. 301-302). The two then sent him to the head of the Stoudite monastery in Constantinople, Naukratios 1, with a letter of commendation; Naukratios 1 knew the reputation of Ioannes 220 and admired him: Vita S. Evaristi 8 (p. 302). It was probably in 842 or 843 that Evarestos 1 gave up the world. Ioannes 220 is mentioned but not named in the story of Evarestos in Synax. Eccl. Const. 347-348 (where he is described as a priest living an ascetic life near Skopelos).

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