St. Sophronius of Jerusalem

Sophronius was a monk and scholar who travelled with John Moschus, collecting stories of the desert fathers. As Patriarch of Jerusalem from 634 he was the first to oppose the teaching that Christ had only one will. In 637 he had to surrender the besieged city to Caliph Umar. He wrote the life of St. Mary of Egypt and many hymns, including the blessing of the waters at Theophany.

• Feast: March 11 (New Calendar)
• Lived: c. 560–638
• Place: Jerusalem