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John stood out in his time for his meekness and tolerance toward [[non-Chalcedonians]] and is actually venerated as a saint in the [[Coptic]] and [[Ethiopian]] churches. Despite his eschewal of violence he was a firm supporter of [[Chalcedonian]] doctrine and used the theological ability of men such as [[Sophronius]] and [[John Moschus]] in defending and promoting it. As a result of his mix of gentleness and persuasion, the number of Chalcedonians in the city increased ten-fold during his reign, according to his Life.

John voiced opposition to [[Heraclius]]' early attempts at promoting [[monoenergism]] as a compromise solution to the schism over [[Chalcedon]], but did not participate in the major controversies that soon developed. He was forced to flee [[Alexandria]] by the Persian invasion of Egypt in 619. Returning to Cyprus, he died soon thereafter. A few years later much of John's work of reconciliation with the [[non-Chalcedonians]] of Egypt was undone by the violent persecution instituted by Cyrus, who combined both imperial and ecclesiastical authority as dual prefect and patriarch of [[Alexandria]].