Encyclopedia of the Saints’ Lives

Saint John Chrysostom

On the Occasion of the Feast of Saint John Chrysostom on 17 Hathor, at the Beginning of the Nativity Fast, I Speak to You Today a Little About This Saint:
Saint John Chrysostom

The Greatest Preacher of Christianity
He was one of the greatest preachers of the Universal Church—or rather, the greatest of all. And although he was the Patriarch of Constantinople, the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, he did not gain his widespread fame as a patriarch, but rather as a preacher.
He devoted his entire life to preaching. First, he became famous for his sermons in Antioch when he was a deacon there and later a priest, and he also became famous for his preaching in Constantinople while serving as its patriarch.
He was also one of the greatest and most renowned interpreters of the Holy Scripture, leaving behind many books in this field.
His commentaries were often combined with sermons—for after each exegetical discourse, he would deliver a homily. Therefore, whoever wishes to obtain his biblical interpretations must extract them from his sermons.
We thank God that the interpretations and homilies of Saint John Chrysostom have been collected in books that enriched the Christian library under the branch of Patrology. They were published in the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers series in English, and also in the Sources Chrétiennes collection in French, alongside the original Greek. Other groups have also published portions of his works in separate books.

Among his most famous biblical commentaries are:
The Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew, the Commentary on the Gospel of John, the Acts of the Apostles, and the fourteen Epistles of Saint Paul. He is also attributed with a Commentary on the Book of Genesis and the Hexaemeron (an explanation of the six days of Creation). He also wrote On the Priesthood and other books and essays.

Distinct Qualities of Saint John Chrysostom:
He was an ascetic monk who lived a life of simplicity and self-denial throughout his life. He was also very courageous in defending the truth—to the extent that once he forbade the Empress from entering the cathedral, considering her unworthy due to her injustice and wickedness. He was also compassionate toward the poor, firm in his pastoral care, and endured many sufferings during his life, even being exiled at its end, where he passed away.

John Chrysostom lived for 63 years—born in 344 AD and departed in 407 AD.
Thus, he did not attend the First Ecumenical Council of Nicaea (325 AD), as he was not yet born, nor the Third Ecumenical Council of Ephesus (431 AD), since he had already passed away. He lived during the time of the Second Ecumenical Council of Constantinople (381 AD), but he was only a deacon then, for he was ordained a priest in 386 AD.
Therefore, he did not truly know Saint Athanasius the Great, except perhaps in the latter’s old age. However, he was a close friend of Saint Basil the Great.

His Early Life:
John was born in Antioch in 344 AD (or 347 AD according to other sources). His father died during his early childhood, leaving his mother a widow at the age of twenty. Out of devotion to her son, she refused to remarry and dedicated herself to raising him.
He studied under Libanius, the philosopher of his age, and was his most brilliant student—to the extent that Libanius, when asked who would succeed him, replied, “John, if the Christians had not stolen him.”
After several years in law—defending the oppressed with exceptional skill—he left the profession to focus on his spiritual life.
He then studied in the school of Diodorus, who later became Bishop of Tarsus, and admired Origen, studying his writings—something that caused him difficulties later in life.

His Monastic Life:
John longed for the monastic life and decided to leave the world with his dear friend Basil. But his mother pleaded with him to delay it so as not to renew her sorrows, having already suffered much for his sake. Out of compassion, he obeyed her and withdrew into solitude within his home, dedicating himself to intense prayer and worship.
At twenty-five years old, he faced great danger: several bishops decided to ordain him and Basil as bishops. To avoid this, John fled to an unknown place, while Basil was captured and ordained after much resistance. To comfort his friend, John wrote him the book On the Priesthood, explaining the importance and responsibility of the priestly office.
After the death of his mother, Anthusa, John went to a monastery in the mountains near Antioch, where he spent four years in prayer and asceticism under the guidance of an elder monk. When his fame began to spread and people came seeking his counsel, he fled from notoriety and lived in a cave for two years in extreme austerity—devoting himself to the study of the Bible until it was said that he memorized it entirely.
However, due to the harshness of his asceticism and the dampness of the cave, he became severely ill and nearly died, forcing him to return to Antioch around 380 AD (the year of the Council of Constantinople).

John the Preacher of Antioch:
When John returned to Antioch, the city’s bishop warmly received him and ordained him a deacon. He began preaching, becoming the city’s spiritual guide and teacher. In 386 AD, he was ordained a priest and officially entrusted with the preaching ministry.
He excelled greatly, attracting crowds with his eloquence and power of reasoning—so much so that he was nicknamed “Chrysostom” (Golden-Mouthed).
His sermons were practical and addressed the issues of his time—condemning the vices of theaters, horse racing, and vanity. He was also a staunch defender of the Orthodox faith. His fame spread everywhere, and many were moved to tears while listening to him. Some even called him “the Second Paul.”

John the Patriarch:
When the Patriarchal Throne of Constantinople became vacant, the people chose John, but the citizens of Antioch refused to let him go, and he himself declined the position due to its great responsibilities. Eventually, the imperial deputy deceived him and secretly brought him to Constantinople, where he was consecrated Patriarch in 398 AD.
As Patriarch, he continued to live simply, wearing coarse garments, giving his wealth to the poor, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and establishing hospitals, hostels, and shelters, which he personally oversaw.
He remained a preacher while Patriarch, and people flocked to hear him, abandoning worldly pleasures. Through his preaching, he brought many pagans—especially the Goths—to the Christian faith.
He also cared deeply for the education of women, choosing wise and virtuous ones to teach others.
Although he was firm in correcting sinners, his love for his people was beyond words.

A Man of Suffering:
He once said, “Speaking the truth has left me without a friend.”
Among his chief enemies was the wicked Empress Eudoxia, whom he often rebuked without fear. Many wealthy people, vain women, and negligent clergymen whom he had corrected also turned against him. Yet, his love for his people never diminished.
Through Eudoxia’s intrigues, he was exiled from his throne and died in exile in 407 AD. The Church celebrates his feast on 17 Hathor and 12 Bashans. May his prayers be with us all. Amen.

Famous Sayings:
Saint John Chrysostom left us many memorable sayings, including:

• “If someone’s friendship does not agree with you, do not make him your enemy.”

• “There is one way to rid yourself of an enemy—turn him into a friend.”

• “Do not seek to be the head, for the head suffers the most pains.”

(1) Article by His Holiness Pope Shenouda III, published in Watani Newspaper on 29-11-1992.

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