XPost: alt.religion.christian.east-orthodox   
   From: hayesstw@telkomsa.net   
      
   On Mon, 15 Nov 2021 09:14:55 +0200, Steve Hayes   
    wrote:   
      
   >On Fri, 12 Nov 2021 04:32:15 -0800 (PST), Nick Cobb   
   > wrote:   
   >   
   >   
   >Saint John the Merciful, Patriarch of Alexandria   
   >Commemorated on November 12   
   >   
   >Saint John the Merciful, Patriarch of Alexandria, was born on Cyprus   
   >in the seventh century into the family of the illustrious dignitary   
   >Epiphanius. At the wish of his parents he entered into marriage and   
   >had children. When the wife and the children of the saint died, he   
   >became a monk. He was zealous in fasting and prayer, and had great   
   >love for those around him.   
   >   
   >His spiritual exploits won him honor among men, and even the emperor   
   >revered him. When the Patriarchal throne of Alexandria fell vacant,   
   >the emperor Heraclius and all the clergy begged Saint John to occupy   
   >the Patriarchal throne.   
   >   
   >The saint worthily assumed his archpastoral service, concerning   
   >himself with the moral and dogmatic welfare of his flock. As patriarch   
   >he denounced every soul-destroying heresy, and drove out from   
   >Alexandria the Monophysite Phyllonos of Antioch.   
   >   
   >He considered his chief task to be charitable and to give help all   
   >those in need. At the beginning of his patriarchal service he ordered   
   >his stewards to compile a list of all the poor and downtrodden in   
   >Alexandria, which turned out to be over seven thousand men. The saint   
   >ordered that all of these unfortunates be provided for each day out of   
   >the church’s treasury.   
   >   
   >Twice during the week, on Wednesdays and Fridays, he emerged from the   
   >doors of the patriarchal cathedral, and sitting on the church portico,   
   >he received everyone in need. He settled quarrels, helped the wronged,   
   >and distributed alms. Three times a week he visited the sick-houses,   
   >and rendered assistance to the suffering. It was during this period   
   >that the emperor Heraclius led a tremendous army against the Persian   
   >emperor Chosroes II. The Persians ravaged and burned Jerusalem, taking   
   >a multitude of captives. The holy Patriarch John gave a large portion   
   >of the church treasury for their ransom.   
   >   
   >The saint never refused suppliants. One day, when the saint was   
   >visiting the sick, he met a beggar and commanded that he be given six   
   >silver coins. The beggar changed his clothes, ran on ahead of the   
   >Patriarch, and again asked for alms. Saint John gave him six more   
   >silver coins. When, however, the beggar sought charity a third time,   
   >and the servants began to chase the fellow away, the Patriarch ordered   
   >that he be given twelve pieces of silver, saying, “Perhaps he is   
   >Christ putting me to the test.” Twice the saint gave money to a   
   >merchant that had suffered shipwreck, and a third time gave him a ship   
   >belonging to the Patriarchate and filled with grain, with which the   
   >merchant had a successful journey and repaid his obligations.   
   >   
   >Saint John the Merciful was known for his gentle attitude towards   
   >people. Once, the saint was compelled to excommunicate two clergymen   
   >for a certain time because of some offense. One of them repented, but   
   >the other fellow became angry with the Patriarch and fell into greater   
   >sins. The saint wanted to summon him and calm him with kind words, but   
   >it slipped his mind. When he was celebrating the Divine Liturgy, the   
   >saint was suddenly reminded by the words of the Gospel: “If you bring   
   >your gift to the altar and remember that your brother has something   
   >against you, leave your gift before the altar ... first, be reconciled   
   >with your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (Mt. 5:23-24).   
   >The saint came out of the altar, called the offending clergyman to   
   >him, and falling down on his knees before him in front of all the   
   >people he asked forgiveness. The cleric, filled with remorse, repented   
   >of his sin, corrected himself, and afterwards was found worthy to be   
   >ordained to the priesthood.   
   >   
   >There was a time when a certain citizen insulted George, the   
   >Patriarch’s nephew. George asked the saint to avenge the wrong. The   
   >saint promised to deal with the offender so that all of Alexandria   
   >would marvel at what he had done. This calmed George, and Saint John   
   >began to instruct him, speaking of the necessity for meekness and   
   >humility. Then he summoned the man who insulted George. When Saint   
   >John learned that the man lived in a house owned by the church, he   
   >declared that he would excuse him from paying rent for an entire year.   
   >Alexandria indeed was amazed by such a “revenge,” and George learned   
   >from his uncle how to forgive offenses and to bear insults for God’s   
   >sake.   
   >   
   >Saint John, a strict ascetic and man of prayer, was always mindful of   
   >his soul, and of death. He ordered a coffin for himself, but told the   
   >craftsmen not to finish it. Instead, he would have them come each   
   >feastday and ask if it was time to finish the work.   
   >   
   >Saint John was persuaded to accompany the governor Nicetas on a visit   
   >to the emperor in Constantinople. While on his way to visit the   
   >earthly king, he dreamed of a resplendent man who said to him, “The   
   >King of Kings summons you.” He sailed to his native island of Cyprus,   
   >and at Amanthos the saint peacefully fell asleep in the Lord   
   >(616-620).   
      
      
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