St
John was Patriarch of Alexandria in the seventh century. When he was
elected Patriarch he immediately asked that a list be drawn up of “all
my masters, down to the least of them.” When asked what he meant by this
strange request, St John replied “The people whom you call poor and
beggars are my masters and helpers, for it is only they who can really
help us and bring us to the Kingdom of Heaven.” The list ended up
contains 7000 names, and to each one St John allotted a daily allowance
of money.
St John then issued decrees about commerce, imposing
penalties for those who cheated others in the markets, and then built
seven hospitals, each with forty beds. To women who came to give birth
in these hospitals, he gave a ‘maternity benefit’ upon leaving. He also
built homes for the aged and infirm, and houses of hospitality for
strangers.
He cared particularly for Syrian refugees when, in 614
the Persians invaded Syria. Many came to Alexandria, where he provided
generously for them. The Persians also sacked Jerusalem, leading the
saint to send large amounts of money and food to the city, and ransomed
captives there.
St John was also a peacemaker. Twice a week he
would sit outside his cathedral and would settle disagreements and
advocate for justice for the oppressed. At one point, St John was
stopped by a woman who was seeking a mediator for a conflict with her
son-in-law, and the other religious officials tried to dismiss her and
hurry St John along, no doubt to do what they considered important
ecclesial work. St John rebuked them and said “How can I expect God to
listen to my prayers if I do not listen to what this woman wants?”
Icon from here
St
John loved to get money from the wealthy to give to the poor. One time a
certain wealthy person tried to ingratiate the saint by buying him a
lavish gift. St John sold it and gave the money to the poor, so another
gift was given. This kept happening and St. John said “We shall see who
gets tired of this first!” He would also say “If in order to help the
needy one is able, without ill-will, to strip the rich down to their
shirts, one is not doing wrong, especially if they are heartless
skinflints.”
St John's compassion, mercy, and peaceability made
him immensely popular with his people. Before him, Christianity in
Alexandria was remarkably conflicted and at times violent, but through
his peaceful mercy he was reportedly able to increase the number of
churches tenfold.
St John the Compassionate/Merciful: the Mission named after him in Toronto Canada (photo)
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