Biography of Saint John Chrysostom

Saint John Chrysostom

Also known as

• Greatest of the Greek Fathers
• Golden-Mouth
• Giovanni Crisostomo
• John Chrysostom

Memorial

• 13 September
• 14 September (Comana del Pont, Italy)
• formerly 27 January
• 13 November (Eastern Orthodox – ascension to the archbishopric of Constantinople)
• 27 January (Eastern Orthodox – translation of relics)
• 30 January (Eastern Orthodox – as one of the Three Holy Hierarchs)

Profile

John’s father died when he was young, and he was raised by a very pious mother. Well educated; studied rhetoric under Libanius, one of the most famous orators of his day. Monk. Preacherand priest for a dozen years in Syria. While there he developed a stomach ailment that troubled him the rest of his life.

It was for his sermons that John earned the title Chrysostom = golden mouthed. They were always on point, they explained the Scriptures with clarity, and they sometimes went on for hours. Made a reluctant bishop of Constantinople in 398, a move that involved him in imperial politics. He criticized the rich for not sharing their wealth, fought to reform the clergy, prevented the sale of ecclesiastical offices, called for fidelity in marriage, encouraged practices of justice and charity. Archbishop and Patriarch of Constantinople. Revised the Greek Liturgy. Because John’s sermons advocated a change in their lives, some nobles and bishopsworked to remove him from his diocese; he was twice exiled from his diocese. Banished to Pythius, he diedon the road.

Greek Father of the Church. Proclaimed Doctor of the Church in 451.

Born

• c.347 at Antioch, Asia Minor

Died

• 407 of natural causes

Canonized

• Pre-Congregation

Name Meaning

• God is gracious; gift of God (John)
• golden-mouthed (Chrysostom)

Patronage

• against epilepsy
• Constantinople
• epileptics
• Istanbul, Turkey
• lecturers
• orators (proclaimed on 8 July 1908 by Pope Pius X)
• preachers
• speakers