6th–7th century
Saint Zacharias of Jerusalem
Patriarch of Jerusalem taken captive by the Persians in 614, who returned with the True Cross in 628.
Biography
Zacharias was born in the second half of the sixth century and was elected Patriarch of Jerusalem in 609. In 614, when the Persians captured Jerusalem, he was taken captive and led into exile in Persia.
From exile he wrote an important letter to the Church of Jerusalem, calling for repentance and mercy. When Emperor Heraclius defeated the Persians in 628, Zacharias returned to his see bringing back the True Cross, and he died in peace in 632.