The Lives of the Saints Volume 1 - St. Patrick's Basilica

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dust, worms, and unworthy to be ranked among men.
The saint regarded injuries as his greatest gain and happiness. He
always disarmed his enemies of their rancor by meekness, and frequently
fell at the feet of those who insulted him, to beg their pardon.
Nicetas, the governor, had formed a project of a new tax, very
prejudicial to the poor. The patriarch modestly spoke in their defence.
The governor in a passion left him abruptly. St. John sent him this
message towards evening: "The sun is going to set:" putting him in mind
of the advice of the apostle: _Let not the sun go down upon your anger_.
This admonition had its intended effect on the governor, and pierced him
to the quick. He arose, and went to the patriarch, bathed in tears,
asked his pardon, and by way of atonement, promised never more to give
ear to informers and tale-bearers. St. John confirmed him in that
resolution, adding, that he never believed any man whatever against
another, till he himself had examined the party accused; and that he
punished all calumniators and tale-bearers in a manner which might deter
others from so fatal a vice. Having in vain exhorted a certain nobleman
to forgive one with whom he was at variance, he soon after invited him
to his private chapel to assist at his mass, and there desired him to
recite with him the Lord's prayer. The saint stopped at that petition;
_Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those that trespass against
us_. When the nobleman had recited it alone, he conjured him to reflect
on what he had been saying to God at the hour of the tremendous
mysteries, {206} begging to be pardoned in the same manner as he forgave
others. The other, feeling himself struck to the heart, fell at his
feet, and from that moment was sincerely reconciled with his adversary.
The saint often exhorted men against rash judgment, saying,
"Circumstances easily deceive us; magistrates are bound to examine and
judge criminals; but what have private persons to do with others, unless
it be to vindicate them?" He used to relate many examples of persons who
were found innocent and eminent saints, though they had been condemned
by the world upon circumstances; as that of a certain monk, who brought
to that city a Jewess whom he had converted, but was accused as guilty
of lewdness with her, and cruelly scourged; for he said nothing to
justify himself, out of a desire of humiliation and suffering. But his
innocence and sanctity were soon after brought to light. St. John
employed Sophronius and John Moschus in reducing to the faith the
Severians and other heretics. Observing that many amused themselves
without the church, during part of the divine office, which was then of
a very considerable length, he followed them out, and seated himself
among them, saying, "My children, the shepherd must be with his flock."
This action, which covered them with confusion, prevented their being
guilty of that irreverence any more. As he was one day going to church,
he was accosted on the way by a woman who demanded justice against her
son-in-law that had injured her. The woman being ordered by some