Lives of the Saints

Saint John Chrysostom

 

 

John of Antioch was born in 347 AD in
Antioch, Syria.  He was expected to have a career as a statesman and law giver, for he was marveled at for his eloquence in speaking.  Yet,
St. John left the law and followed Christ after he was baptized at age twenty-three.  He went to a monastery, which helped prepare him for his ordination as a priest in 386 AD. 
St. John's speaking excellence gained him great reputation in the Christian world, except with the Empress Eudoxia.  When
St. John was forty-nine years old, he was elected to the Patriarchate of Constantinople and started a crusade against wealth and injustice.  This, along with
St. John's generous acts to help some excommunicated pious monks, led him to be falsely accused of treason and was planned for exile.  When news of his exile got out, there was so much protest against it that
St. John was returned to his position.  He continued with his sermons and teachings until one of his sermons was found as being offensive to the Empress. 
St. John was then permanently exiled from
Constantinople, but he continued to communicate by writing letters to the church, until he passed away in 407 AD. 

 

 

Our Father Among the Saints, St. John Chrysostom, left us with a great example of how to live a Christian life as well as a collection of his great works.  He left behind the moving and insightful liturgy that we chant on Sundays.  His excellent sermons gained him the greatest respect and it significantly influences Christian thought.  His ability to give such wonderful sermons reserved the title of "Chrysostom," or "golden-mouthed," to him. 
St. John bowed only to God, and never let wealth or injustice get in the way of Christianity, thus defying state authority.  Although difficult, we strive to gain
St. John's stature and continue to ask for his prayers as our Patron Saint of Teen SOYO.