Hierarch
John the Merciful
Saint John the Merciful, Patriarch of Alexandria
New Calendar November 12 Old Calendar November 25
Why they are a saint
He was the son of a noble family in Cyprus. He married and had several children, but when his wife and children all died at nearly the same time, he took his loss as a call to forsake worldly cares, and committed his life entirely to God. In time he was consecrated Archbishop of Alexandria, where he became known for his zeal for the Orthodox faith and his struggles against the various heresies that prevailed in Egypt at that time.
Patronage / why chosen as patron
Patron of the poor, almsgiving, because he lived in poverty and cared for those in need.
Prayer
O holy John the Merciful, pray to God for us.
A short general prayer to a saint, not a liturgical text. No public-domain troparion for this saint is included.