Presbyter John was sent to Constantinople by the Christians of Alexandria, in order to ask the Emperor Zenon to allow them in the future the right to elect their Archbishop. The Emperor accepted this with the condition that he would not accept to become Bishop, in order that the people could elect the most suitable person without force. Returning to Alexandria , John reneged on his promise and, through the intervention of the Empirical Court , was elected Archbishop, but was banished by Pergamius, the Governor of Egypt, as a perjurer.
