About 7,500 poor people were getting food and clothes from the church treasury in Alexandria in the early 7th century. That is how many names were on the lists Patriarch John ordered to be drawn up. Today, 12 November, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church honours St John the Merciful, Patriarch of Alexandria, and John and Nil celebrate their name day.

The official's son who fed the poor

John was born in Cyprus around the middle of the 6th century. His family was well off. His father, Epiphanius, was a nobleman and senior official, so the future patriarch grew up far from the poverty he would later fight in Alexandria.

In 610/611, Emperor Heraclius made him Patriarch of Alexandria. On his orders, officials drew up lists of people in need, and the church took on the cost of their food and clothes.

The lists were not all he did. John opened kitchens and hospitals and set up homes for the elderly. With the same money he bought the freedom of prisoners and helped refugees from the Persian invasion. That is where his nickname, the Merciful, comes from.

He died around 619–620 (other sources say 616) in Cyprus, where his life began.

The two St Nils

On the same day, the church also honours St Nil the Faster, a pupil of St John Chrysostom. Born in Constantinople, he held a high position and had a family. He later left them and withdrew to Sinai with his son Theodulus. There he lived in fasting and prayer until his death in the middle of the 5th century (different sources say around 430–451).

The second Nil in the 12 November calendar is St Nil the Myrrh-Gusher of Athos. He lived as an ascetic on Mount Athos in the 17th century, more than a thousand years after his namesake from Sinai.

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church calendar for the day also lists the holy prophet Ahijah the Shilonite.

Ruse and Varna also have reason to celebrate

The day is also a holiday for Angel Kanchev University of Ruse. Its history began on 12 November 1945 as a technical college, and last year it turned 80. Varna remembers 12 November 1897, when a decree by Prince Ferdinand set up a naval unit in the city. According to BTA, the Varna Naval Base dates from that day.

Happy name day to everyone called John and Nil, and to those with names derived from them!