Blessed Peter the Customs Inspector of Constantinople (6th c.)
Commemorated on January 20
"Saint Peter, being of patrician rank, was appointed by the
Emperor Justinian (527-65) to administer the Roman province of Africa. Harsh and
without an ounce of compassion, he became universally known as 'the Miser'. One
day a beggar was importuning him insistently for alms, so he picked up one of
the warm loaves which his servant had just brought in and threw it like a stone
at his head. The beggar seized it with delight and made off. Two days later
Peter suddenly fell ill with the fever and saw himself appear at the Last
Judgment to give an account of all his deeds. A pair of scales was brought
before him and swarthy creatures placed all his evil actions on to the left-hand
dish, while bright angels stood to the right, in dismay at having nothing by way
of a good deed to put on to the right-hand side except the loaf which he had
thrown in anger at the beggar. Peter then woke up with a start and, forgetful of
his illness, hastened to give away all his goods to the needy, even his
clothing. Afterwards in a dream, he saw Christ wearing the clothes he had given
away, and so he decided not to stop at that but to sell himself as slave to a
goldsmith in order to give alms of the price paid for him. Some time later,
fearing lest his identity be discovered, he fled to Jerusalem and thence to
Constantinople, where he gave back his soul in peace to God in his old house."
(Synaxarion)
The source of this story is the longer Life of St John
the Merciful (November 12).