Saint John the Merciful, Patriarch of Alexandria

John was born on Cyprus, the son of a nobleman named Epiphanius. He married and had children, but lost his wife and children early. He later became Patriarch of Alexandria, serving in the early 7th century (he died c. 616–620). His Life says he had all the poor of the city counted: the clerks found 7,500, and he ordered that each be given daily food, calling them “my masters”.

When the Persians sacked Jerusalem in 614, he sent ships with gold and grain to ransom captives and sheltered refugees. He sat at the church door so that anyone with a grievance could reach him. Falling ill, he sailed for Cyprus and died in his home city of Amathus. He is remembered as John the Merciful, or the Almsgiver.