John the Merciful Patriarch of Alexandria
Born in 7th century Cyprus, John was raised in a wealthy and established home. His father Epiphanius was a high ranking official who was well liked among many and blessed with multiple talents. His mother, Efcosmia, was kind and filled with compassion for all people. They taught to their son the Christian faith, and he was deeply inspired. He spent much of his time reading the bible and great works of the early fathers. Both his father and mother desired for John to marry. They had kind hearts and for this reason John obeyed their request, even though he was a spiritual young man who had a strong love for the faith. He married and had children. When he wife passed at an early age along with his children, he then followed his desire and became a monk.
He was zealous with prayer and fasting, always with joy and contentment. He gave much of his time and possessions to the poor. One night he had a metaphorical dream, and a beautiful woman came to him saying “I am the first daughter of the King. If you love me, I have the power to take you to the King.” When he awoke he knew that she was a symbol of sympathy and charity. From his he always remained kind and gave much to the poor and needy.
Those around him whether other monastics, or those who visited admired his devotion to Christ. The Christian Emperor at this time also had reverence for John so when the time came to fill the position of Patriarch in Alexandria in the year 610. The emperor pleaded with John to take the throne. He was not at first receptive, but even those in the village begged him as they so desired his humble and blessed spirit. He still refused, and then the emperor hired men to seize him and bring him to be appointed.
Although he did not originally desire to be Patriarch, he took the job seriously
and with a heart of Christ. With great loyalty to the dogma of the church,
Saint John rid the city of any heresies filtering through the theology. He also
took time and devotion toward the people he was serving for and ensured they
were care for spiritually.
He heavily focused on giving to the poor and helping those with any illness or need. When he first became Patriarch he had a few of his men travel throughout Alexandria to find any who were poor or in dire need of assistance. They ended up finding over 7,500 people who were suffering. John ensured that each day these men would be cared for, using the funds from the Church treasury. He fed them all and gave them a place to stay every day. The people of the church noticed his kindness and grew from it. They would bring tons of food and supplies to help those in need, and their love grew as did the faith. When John spoke to the poor, he viewed them as Bishops or Lords and had a deep respect for them. Telling those within the church it is our mission to have immense compassion for them. He also built many institutions, hospitals, homes and orphanages for those in need. In 614 the Persians attacked the Jerusalem and many of the Jews left and sought refugee in Alexandria. St John gave all te money of the church to aid those in need and sent money and supplies to help rebuild the churches and city. He also built 63 churches in a few short years expanding the Christian community tenfold in Alexandria, as it only had 7 when he was appointed Patriarch.
He was always the hardest worker and showed up first to each job. He never ordered people around or took his title to serve his own Earthly glory. Twice a week he would sit outside of the church and would hear and console anyone who came and he dealt with all matters. He advised those with relationship problems, those suffering temptations, the poor, the wealthy, those who had committed crimes and he brought peace to many.
He never refused any who sought help from him nor did he deny any who asked for alms. There one a beggar who asked John for coins of silver, and the Saint humbly gave to the poor man. The man then ran off and put a disguise on, changing his close, but it was clear to John that it was the same man. The beggar then asked again for coins, and John did not deny him but gave him the same amount as before. The beggar repeated his act and his third time the men with John tried to stop the beggar, but John stopped them and gave the beggar twice as many times as before saying “Maybe Christ is testing me.”
He also knew of a sailor who lost his ship in a wreck at sea, and he gave him money. This happen to the man three times, and the third time he gave the sailor a ship that belonged to him. He had the gifted ship filled with grains and this allowed the sailor to make his job as well as pay back the Patriarch with his successful trip.
Throughout his entire life John remained kind and meek. There were two parishioners who were caught acting away from the church in a great manner. Due to their ways, Saint John spoke with them saying if they did not repent they would have to be excommunicated. The one agreed to repent and he ceased from his sinful path. The other however, did not take Saint John’s words to mind and stumbled down a path of sins far worse than before.
When John heard of his downfall, he had desired to console him and hopefully guide him back toward the path of salvation. However, with his busy schedule John forgot to tell the man. As he was celebrating the Divine Liturgy the thought crossed his mind, and he realized he never spoke with the man. Seeing he was in church at the time, Saint John stopped the service, remembering the words there in the Liturgy, “If you bring your gift to the altar and remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift before the altar and first reconcile with your brother, then come and offer your gift. “(Matthew 5:23-24) When these words sunk into Saint John’s heart he came from the altar and went before the man. He got on his knees and humbly asked for the man to forgive him in front of all those in the church. When the man felt the rich love of the humble saint he was filled with the grace of Saint John he repented of his sins and with time was ordained as a priest.
A separate time the nephew George was wronged by his landlord who spoke offensively toward him. George went to his Uncle, Saint John, and asked him to make the landlord pay for his wrongdoing. With peace, John calmed George promising that with humility and gentleness his wrong would be made right. Saint John then called his landlord to come and speak with him. From their conversation, Saint John learned that the man rented a property owned by the Church. Showing him kindness, rather than seeking a punishment, John told the man that he was to live one year without paying renting. This amazed all those who heard, learning and seeing that revenge is not of the Christian heart or mind. We are to forgive as suffer offenses as Christ did, and for the glory of God. He always maintained his peaceful demeanor and when he noticed other suffering from a passion, he would speak for himself as though he too suffered from the passion to make the person feel comfortable and confess freely. From this he led many to repentance.
Saint John lived in the Patriarch’s home, but he kept his room empty and plain. One day a rich man saw the condition of his living, and bought him an expensive rug, thinking this would please the Saint. John said thank you and then gave it to his men to sell and give the money to the poor. The rich man found the rug in the same shop he had bought it from and was perplexed, wondering how it got there. He again bought it for Saint John, and this cycle continued several times, until the rich man realized what had occurred. He then gave much money to Saint John to distribute to the poor.
Saint John fasted greatly and from this his spirit was close to Christ. He had a sense of when his time was to come to die. He made preparations and had a carpenter begin to make his coffin, but ordered that it was not yet finished until he told them. He would have them check in on all the major feast days and each time he told the craftsman the time had not come.
Then one day, while he was journeying to visit the emperor of Constantinople, he was given a vision were a man came to him saying “Come fast, do not be late for the King calls you.” He knew this was a parallel to Christ calling him to his Kingdom. Knowing he was to pass soon, he went to Cyprus, where he was born, and in the ancient city of Amathus. There he again had the dream with the same beautiful virgin who said to him “ I am charity and I will open the gates of heaven for you. “ Before he died, he wrote a will and said “Thank you my Lord and my God, because you gave me these presents. I am happy to give them back to you. “ He left a coin, the only possession he had left, to the poor. He then peacefully gave his soul to God at the age of 64 in 609 AD.
The church of Alexandria when Saint John was made Patriarch only had 8,000 coins. When he left it had millions. This was from the charitable works of Saint John. When he gave to the poor it inspired the wealthy to give more to the church. Before he died he gave it all to the poor once more.
The Christians buried his body in Saint Tychon church and myrrh streamed from his body several days later.
Glory be unto God for this giving saint!