St. John Damascene - St. John was born abut the year 676.  He was famous for his great encyclopedic knowledge and theological method, which later was a source of inspiration to St. Thomas Aquinas.  He vigorously opposed the Inonoclast persecution of the Emperor of Constantinople, Leo the Isaurian, and he distinguished himself in the defense of the veneration of sacred images.  After continued persecutions he died in peace, toward the latter part of the 8th century.