Feast Day: January 27 (Traditional Roman Calendar)
Title: Doctor of the Church
Patronage: Preachers, orators, and those who suffer persecution for the Faith
Early Life and Formation
Saint John Chrysostom, whose epithet “Chrysostomos” means “golden-mouthed,” was born in Antioch around the year 347 A.D. to a noble family. His father, Secundus, died shortly after John’s birth, and his mother, Anthusa—a devout Christian widow—raised him with remarkable piety and virtue. The influence of his mother left a profound mark upon his soul, cultivating in him a tender love for Christ and His Church.
John was educated in the classical arts under the famed pagan rhetorician Libanius, who is said to have lamented that John did not remain to be his intellectual heir, saying, “What women these Christians have!”—a tribute to Anthusa’s example.
Conversion to Asceticism and the Priesthood
Despite early success in the civil forum, John abandoned worldly ambitions for the service of God. He received baptism at the age of twenty and soon after entered a life of monasticism and study. For six years, he lived as an ascetic in the mountains near Antioch, practicing severe austerities that would later affect his health. He eventually returned to Antioch due to illness and was ordained a deacon in 381, then a priest in 386 by Bishop Flavian.
His eloquence and spiritual depth drew immense crowds, and his homilies on Sacred Scripture—particularly on the Gospels of Matthew and John, and the Epistles of Saint Paul—made him the most renowned preacher in the Eastern Church. His commitment to truth and his condemnation of sin, even among the powerful, earned him both admiration and hostility.
Archbishop of Constantinople
In 398, Saint John was unexpectedly appointed Archbishop of Constantinople, the imperial capital. There, his reforming zeal reached its height: he denounced clerical laxity, imperial excess, and the luxury of the court. He strove for liturgical dignity, pastoral care, and aid to the poor, selling ornate furnishings of the episcopal palace to provide alms.
His fearless preaching against moral corruption—especially his criticisms of Empress Eudoxia—provoked enmity among the wealthy and powerful. He was accused of insubordination and heresy by jealous bishops led by Theophilus of Alexandria and was exiled in 403, though briefly recalled. A second and final exile followed in 404, during which he suffered greatly from harsh conditions.
Exile and Death
From exile, Chrysostom continued to write letters full of charity, courage, and steadfastness, encouraging his faithful flock and upholding the unity of the Church. Despite declining health, he remained firm in his resolve to serve Christ unto death.
He died in Pontus, near Comana, in 407 A.D., after uttering his final words:
“Glory be to God for all things.” (Dóxa tô Theô pantôn éneken).
Legacy and Canonization
His relics were triumphantly returned to Constantinople in 438 by Emperor Theodosius II, son of Eudoxia, who sought to atone for his parents’ injustice. Pope Saint Pius V declared him a Doctor of the Church, and he remains one of the most venerated Eastern Fathers. His feast on January 27 commemorates the translation of his relics.
He is especially remembered for:
- His eloquence and mastery of sacred preaching
- His profound exegetical commentaries on Holy Scripture
- His bold defense of moral truth
- His role in shaping the Byzantine liturgy, many parts of which bear his name (the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom)
Selected Quote
“The waters have risen, and severe storms are upon us, but we do not fear drowning, for we stand firmly upon a rock. Let the sea rage; it cannot break the rock. Let the waves rise; they cannot sink the boat of Jesus.”
Would you like to follow this with a short meditation, a prayer to St. John Chrysostom, or perhaps explore his writings as part of a learning path under Theology and Doctrine or Church History?