Hierarch Saint Modestus, Patriarch of Jerusalem

Saint Modestus was born around 537 in the Cappadocian city of Sebastia into a devout Christian family. He became a monk and later abbot of the monastery of St. Theodosius the Cenobiarch near Bethlehem.

In 614, after the Persian army of Khosrow II sacked Jerusalem and took Patriarch Zacharias captive, Modestus administered the Jerusalem Church as locum tenens for nearly fifteen years (614–628). He organized the burial of thousands of slain monks and clergy and, with financial help from Patriarch John V "the Almsgiver" of Alexandria, rebuilt the shrines destroyed by the Persians, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem.

After Emperor Heraclius recovered the True Cross and Patriarch Zacharias died, Modestus was enthroned Patriarch of Jerusalem in 632, governing the Church for about two years. He reposed on December 18, 634, at the age of 97. His head is venerated as a relic at Simonopetra Monastery on Mount Athos.