Saint John the Merciful

Saint John the Merciful November 12 Saint John the Merciful, Patriarch of Alexandria was born in Cyprus to an illustrious family where he married and had children. After some years, his wife and children died, and so the widower became a monk, zealous in fasting, prayer, and charity. His immense virtue was soon seen by all men, including the emperor, who elevated him to Patriarch of Alexandria as soon as the see became vacant. In this position, Saint John focused on correcting heretical teachings and driving out heretics from Alexandria. As his chief task however, the saint was [...]