St. John Chrysostom

St. John Chrysostom Biogrpahy

“St. John Chrysostom (349-407) was a prominent early Christian theologian and bishop of Constantinople, whose writings and sermons have greatly influenced the development of Eastern Christianity and the Byzantine liturgy. He was one of the Three Holy Hierarchs, along with Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, and his feast day is celebrated on September 13th by the Eastern Orthodox and the Roman Catholic Church.

John was born in Antioch, in present-day Turkey, to a well-educated family. As a young man, he chose to become a monk and withdrew to the desert for several years to study and meditate. He eventually returned to Antioch, where he was ordained a priest in 386.

He quickly gained a reputation as a gifted speaker and preacher, and he became a popular teacher at the Antiochian School. His sermons, which covered a wide range of topics including social justice, ethics, and scripture, were noted for their eloquence, wisdom and power. He earned the nickname Chrysostom, which means “”golden mouth”” for his ability to speak.

In 397, he was elected as the bishop of Constantinople, a position of great political and social influence. He used this platform to continue his work on social and moral issues, which included criticising the excesses of the wealthy, the corruption in the church and the state, the poor treatment of the poor, the slave trade and the status of women. This led him to have many enemies and conflicts.

Furthermore, Chrysostom’s writings and sermons have had a lasting impact on the development of Eastern Christianity. His works include commentaries on scripture, treatises on theology and moral theology, and a collection of homilies. He also is the author of several liturgical texts that are still used in the Byzantine liturgy to this day.

Despite his enemies and conflicts, his strong and eloquent defense of the faith, his contributions to theology and his emphasis on the moral and social responsibilities of the Christian faith earned him great respect and admiration.

In 438, the Council of Constantinople declared him a Saint, and his cult was widely diffused in both East and West. His influence on Eastern Christianity was, and still is, significant, and he is considered one of the greatest theologians and preachers of the early church.

St. John Chrysostom, who through his writings and sermons, helped to shape the Christian Church, and his legacy continues to be celebrated and honored by many to this day.

The Life of St. John Chrysostom

St. John was born at Antioch in 344. He was surnamed Chrysostom, which means “Golden Mouthed”, because of his eloquent sermons and the life-changing impact his words had on all those who heard him preach.

A Call to Live a Simple Life

His Mother instilled into his heart from early youth the most perfect maxims of piety and contempt of the world. It is not surprising, therefore, that John retired into the mountains near Antioch, in 374, to lead the monastic life. Four years were spent under the direction of an old Syrian Monk, and two years in a cave as a hermit. The dampness of the cave ruined his health and obliged him to return to Antioch, where he was ordained Priest.

The Banishment of St. John Chrysostom

In 398, much against his will, he was raised to the See of Constantinople. Because of his denunciation of vice, he made numerous enemies and brought down upon himself the imperial wrath. At a gathering of Bishops, known as the Synod of the Oak in 403, St. John was deposed and banished. Public opinion was so strongly in his favor that the Emperor was unable to prevent his triumphal return.

Two months later, however, when he again openly denounced the vice of many of those in authority, he was driven to the deserts of Taurus in Armenia, in defiance of Pope Innocent I, who fully supported the saint’s words. St. John’s enemies seeing the whole Christian world honoring and defending him, resolved to destroy him. They procured an order from the Emperor to have St. John removed to Cucusus, a secluded and rugged place on the east frontier of Armenia. There, St. John Chrysostom maintained frequent communication with his flock and never gave up the hope of his return to his community.

The Great Saint’s Last Act of Faith

In 407 the order was given to carry him to Pithyus, a place at the extreme boundary of the empire, near the Caucasus. Two officers were commanded to transport him. Left exposed to the elements on a very old ship, St. John became ill, yet was forced to continue on the journey. It was clear that the Saint would not be able to complete the journey and had little time left, so the captain reversed the course and brought St. John to the oratory of a Priest. Exchanging his soiled clothes for white garments, St. John received Last Rights and closed his prayer with his usual doxology: “Glory be to God for all things”. As he said “Amen”, he sweetly gave up his soul to God.

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Prayers to St. John Chrysostom

Prayer to St. John Chrysostom

Dear St. John Chrysostom, as one of the greatest Fathers of the Church, you were known for your wisdom, your eloquence, and your unwavering dedication to the truth. I ask for your intercession today, that I may grow in these same qualities, and that I may be guided by your example as I work to build up the Church and bring the Gospel to all the world.

Please help me to be a faithful disciple of Christ, speaking the truth in love, and always striving to live a life of holiness and virtue. May I be filled with your courage and strength, and may I have the same grace and compassion that you showed to those around you.

As I pray this prayer, I ask that you would be my guide and my mentor, leading me closer to Christ, and helping me to grow in grace and wisdom every day. I ask this in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Prayer to St. John Chrysostom for Guidance

St. John Chrysostom, wise and holy Father of the Church, I turn to you today for your guidance and your wisdom. I am in need of your help, as I navigate the challenges and difficulties of life, and I ask that you would be with me every step of the way.

Please give me the grace to see clearly, and to follow the path that God has set before me. May I be filled with your courage and your faith, and may I be a witness to the truth of the Gospel in all that I do.

Help me to be guided by your wisdom and your guidance, and may I be filled with your compassion and your love, as I strive to serve God and those around me. I ask this in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Prayer to St. John Chrysostom for Strength and Courage

St. John Chrysostom, holy and courageous Father of the Church, I ask for your intercession today, as I seek to grow in strength and courage in my faith. I need your help, as I face the trials and temptations of this world, and I ask that you would be with me, guiding me and helping me to stay strong in my faith.

May I be filled with your wisdom and your grace, and may I have the courage to stand firm in the face of adversity. Help me to be a witness to the truth of the Gospel, and to always speak the truth in love, just as you did.

I ask for your strength and your courage, as I strive to live a life that is pleasing to God, and as I work to build up his kingdom. I ask this in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

St. John Chrysostom: Patron Saint of Preachers

St. John Chrysostom, also known as John of Constantinople, is the patron saint of preachers and orators. He was a renowned preacher and teacher in the early Christian church, known for his powerful and persuasive sermons.

St. John Chrysostom lived in the 4th and 5th centuries and served as the Archbishop of Constantinople. He was known for his eloquent speeches and for his commitment to social justice, speaking out against the wealthy and powerful who oppressed the poor.

His sermons were considered some of the most powerful and effective in the history of the church, and they earned him the title “”Chrysostom,”” which means “”Golden Mouth”” in Greek.

St. John Chrysostom is remembered for his powerful and persuasive speaking, and for his commitment to justice and the oppressed. He is considered one of the greatest preachers of all time, and his legacy continues to inspire and influence preachers and orators today.” “

Reflection on the feast day of St. John Chrysostom

The feast day of St. John Chrysostom is celebrated on September 13th in the Eastern Orthodox Church and on January 27th in the Roman Catholic Church.

St. John Chrysostom was an early Christian bishop and theologian, known for his eloquence in preaching and public speaking, his denunciation of abuse of authority by both ecclesiastical and political leaders, the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, and his ascetic sensibilities. He was one of the Three Holy Hierarchs, along with Basil the Great and Gregory of Nazianzus, and he is recognized as a Doctor of the Church.

As we celebrate the feast day of St. John Chrysostom, we are reminded of the importance of faith and devotion in our lives. St. John Chrysostom teaches us that true faith is not just about belief, but about action and commitment, and that the words we speak should be rooted in the love of God. He reminds us that the love of God should be reflected in everything we do, and that our faith should be evident in the way we treat others.

St. John Chrysostom is also a reminder of the importance of humility and simplicity in our faith. He lived a simple life, and his teachings were rooted in humility and the love of God. He reminds us that true wisdom is not found in worldly wealth or power, but in the humility and simplicity of the heart.

As we celebrate the feast day of St. John Chrysostom, let us call on his powerful intercession and ask him to guide and protect us on our journey of faith. Let us also remember that just like St. John Chrysostom, we too have the opportunity to be faithful servants of God, spreading the good news of the Gospel to all those around us. May God bless us all.

In conclusion, the feast day of St. John Chrysostom is a powerful reminder of the strong faith and devotion that we should all strive to emulate in our own lives. It is an opportunity for us to reflect on how we can deepen our own faith, and to ask for the intercession of St. John Chrysostom in our journey of faith. May the example of St. John Chrysostom guide us to become more faithful servants of God, living lives of humility and simplicity, rooted in love and devotion to God.

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You may also be interested in reading the Biography of St. John the Apostle. Both St. John Chrysostom and St. John the Apostle were prominent figures in early Christianity. St. John Chrysostom was an Archbishop and preacher, while St. John the Apostle was one of the Twelve Apostles. Next up: Biography of St. John Licci

 

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