Sainted John Scholastikos, Patriarch of Constantinople

Commemorated on February 21

Sainted John Scholastikos, Patriarch of Constantinople, was educated as a jurist. He accepted the dignity of presbyter, and later he was elevated to the patriarch throne, where he spent the years 565 to 577. While still a presbyter, he compiled a collection of Church Rules in 50 Chapters, and later during his time as patriarch he made a Codex of civil directives, relating to the Church. From these collections was compiled the Nomocanon (i.e. "Law-canon"), used in church administration. Saint John was also the author of the two Church hymns – the "Let us who mystically represent the Cherubim", and the "At Thy Mystical Supper".