St. John the Almsgiver, Feast Day: January 23

By Emily Woodham

Staff Writer

St. John the Almsgiver (also known as “the Almoner,” “the Merciful” and “the Compassionate”) has spurred saints to charity and magnanimity for centuries.

John was born in Amathus, Cyprus, around A.D. 560 to a wealthy, devout family. He was well educated. His father owned land and was involved in politics. John enjoyed praying, reading and studying, and he especially loved reading about the saints.

One night, when John was 15, he had a vision of the most beautiful and joyful woman he had ever seen, who wore a garland of olive leaves around her head. She said that she was the cause of God’s coming in the Incarnation and that she would bring him to God.

John believed he had seen a vision of the virtue of compassion, or charity, because it was God’s compassion and charity that brought about the Incarnation. Excited by the vision, John quickly dressed and, just before dawn, went to the church to pray.

On his way, he saw a beggar shivering in the cold. He gave the beggar his goatskin cloak. Then a man in white appeared and gave him a bag containing 100 gold coins, telling him to use the money however he liked. Before John could return the sack, the man in white disappeared. John was astonished and vowed to outdo God in generosity.

However, God continued to be more generous than John ever could be. One day, John realized that his vow was a vain effort to tempt God, and he marveled that God remained merciful and generous anyway. He repented. From then on, he gave generously and without judgment to everyone in need or who asked for help, simply in imitation of God’s generosity and love.

At his father’s insistence, John married as a young man. He and his wife had several children; however, none survived early childhood. After his wife died — possibly from complications of childbirth — John devoted his spare time to helping the poor and sick in his community.

His wisdom and benevolence became well known throughout the region. Nicetas, the newly appointed governor of Alexandria, and Emperor Heraclius (610–641) insisted that John become patriarch, or archbishop, of Alexandria, “the throne of St. Mark the Apostle.” (This was a time when bishops could be elected by the people of their dioceses or appointed by a ruler.)

John attempted to dissuade them, but to no avail. He was consecrated patriarch around 611.

John cleared the churches of Alexandria of heresy. Heretical clergy were required either to repent or to leave. Those who repented were required to sign declarations affirming adherence to the teachings of the Catholic Church. Although Nicetas believed John was too forgiving, the Church in Alexandria flourished.

John was deeply concerned for the spiritual care of everyone in his archdiocese — clergy and laity, rich and poor alike. He treated his clergy with fatherly care, ensuring they had adequate income and housing so they would not be tempted by bribes. He also arranged to sit in a chair outside the cathedral every Wednesday and Friday, assisted by only a few staff members, so that anyone could approach him with spiritual or physical needs.

In 611, the Sassanid Persians conquered Antioch. Hundreds of Syrians fled to Alexandria for safety. John’s biographers said he ensured that all the refugees were provided for “as brothers.” He built poorhouses and hostels for them, provided money for food and necessities, and ensured hospitals offered free medical care.

Soon afterward, a famine struck. John learned that mothers who had recently given birth were standing in long lines to receive food for their families. Deeply moved by compassion for these vulnerable women and their infants, he had seven lying-in hospitals — each with 40 beds — built throughout the city. Mothers were allowed to rest with their infants for at least seven days after childbirth. When they returned home, each was given money to assist with food and other needs.

When the Persians sacked Jerusalem in 614, John sent clergy with food and supplies to assist Jerusalem and surrounding towns. He was especially concerned for nuns who had been attacked. He arranged care for survivors and paid ransom for the return of 1,000 nuns taken captive, ensuring they were able to return safely to their convents.

By this time, John became widely known as “John the Almsgiver.” Persian governors, astonished by his generosity, sent bribes just to meet him, but he refused to go to them.

In 619, the Persians began efforts to seize Alexandria. Through prayer, John believed the Lord was calling him to return to Amathus. Nicetas opposed the idea and urged John instead to travel with him to Constantinople to see the emperor. John agreed as a favor to his friend. However, when storms battered their ship, even Nicetas became convinced that God intended John to return to Cyprus.

John died peacefully after returning home. Many miracles were reported at his funeral and later at his tomb.

St. John the Almsgiver is a patron saint of Egypt.