Saint John the Merciful

John V Eleemon (Greek: Ἰωάννης ὁ Ἐλεήμων, romanized: Iōannēs ho Eleēmōn), also known as John the Almsgiver, John the Almoner, John the Compassionate, or John the Merciful, was the Chalcedonian Patriarch of Alexandria from 606 to 616. He was born in Amathus around 560. Originally appointed by Emperor Heraclius, at the end of his life he was obliged to flee back to Cyprus, where he died around 620. He was unusual for his time in a number of ways. He was a married man with children, was elected bishop as a layman, and became a saint without being a martyr. He is one of few Byzantine era saints to gain a following in the West. He was one of the saints in the Golden Legend. He became famous as the original patron of the Knights Hospitaller. In the British Commonwealth, the "St. John's Ambulance Corps" is named after him. He is considered a saint in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church and Coptic Orthodox Church. He is also the patron saint of Casarano, Italy and Limassol, Cyprus. His "life" was written by his contemporary Leontius, bishop of Neapolis in Cyprus, who seems to have known him personally. John was born at Amathus as the son of Epiphanius, governor of Cyprus, and was of noble descent. In early life he was married and had children, but his wife and children soon died, after which he entered religious life. On the death of the Patriarch Theodore, the Alexandrians besought Emperor Phocas to appoint John his successor, which was accordingly done. One of the first steps he took was to make a list of several thousand needy persons, whom he took under his especial care. He always referred to the poor as his "lords and masters", because of their mighty influence at the Court of the Most High. He assisted people of every class who were in need. He was a reformer who attacked simony, and fought heresy by means of improvements in religious education.