Thursday after Epiphany; St. John the Almsgiver

"Lord, every nation on earth will adore you.
May his name be blessed forever;
as long as the sun his name shall remain.
In him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed;
all the nations shall proclaim his happiness."
Psalms 72:17 (from today's Responsorial Psalm)

St. John the Almsgiver,
also known as St. John the Merciful,
became the Patriarch of Alexandria.

Upon his appointment, he made a list of several thousand needy persons,
whom he took under his special 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.