John the Deacon

John the Deacon was a Coptic Orthodox chronicler whose Life of the Patriarch Michael, finished c.768–70, is the most important source for Christian Nubia in the first half of the eighth century. His book, written in Coptic, was later translated into Arabic and incorporated as the second part of the History of the Patriarchs of Alexandria.

John was a spiritual disciple of Bishop Moses of Awsim, one of the most revered Coptic churchmen of his age. He is also an early source for the Arab slave trade.