November 12: Saint John the Merciful celebratestranslated

Today, Wednesday November 12, the Church honors the memory of Saint John the Merciful Archbishop of Alexandria of Cyprus, the New Martyrs Nikolaos (†1732) and Savva, the Saints Nilos of Sinaitos and Nilos of Myrovlytos. Ioannis was born in Amathus, Cyprus. He had a lot of property and as a Christian he felt that he owed everyone. "Since I have the opportunity to give to my brothers, he said, therefore I am also obliged to do so. My property cannot be higher than my debt to my fellow man.' Hence he received the nickname Eleimon.

He was elected archbishop of Alexandria, after the faithful of Alexandria requested him from the emperor Heraclius. He excelled as a spiritual lamp and performed many miracles.

He was so revered that even the pagans recognized and respected him. He surrendered his blessed soul to God in 619 AD.

The hymn writer writes, according to the conscience of the faithful people: Your purity and your uprightness of mind, and your divine way, the one who sees the hidden things, descends to a great throne.

Saint John teaches man that "God loves a cheerful giver". And that charity covers a multitude of sins on our way to union…