John Chrysostom

Augustins - Saint Jean Chrysostome et l'Impératrice Eudoxie - Jean Paul Laurens 2004 1 156

John Chrysostom in exile (Menologion of Basil II)

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Hosios Loukas (nave, south east conch) - John Chrysostom - detail

Three Holy Hierarchs (Novgorod)

John Chrysostom (c. 349 – 14 September 407), also known as John of Antioch, was an important Early Christian Church Father and archbishop of Constantinople. Renowned for his powerful preaching and public speaking, Chrysostom was given the name Chrysostomos, meaning "golden-mouthed", in reference to his eloquence. His denunciation of abuse of authority by both ecclesiastical and political leaders, and his advocacy for a more compassionate and ascetic lifestyle, led to conflict with the Byzantine Empire's elite and his subsequent exile. Despite this, John Chrysostom's writings and homilies on the Christian Bible, particularly those on the New Testament, remain influential in Christian theology and Eastern Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant traditions.

Life

John was born in Antioch in around 349 to Greco-Syrian parents. After his father's early death, he was raised by his mother, Anthusa, who ensured he received a comprehensive education under the guidance of the famous pagan rhetorician Libanius. Initially pursuing a career in law, John felt a calling to a more religious life and began studying under Diodore of Tarsus, leading to his baptism and eventual ordination as a deacon in 381 by Bishop Meletius of Antioch.

In 386, John became a priest and gained a reputation for his sermons that combined sophisticated rhetoric with a call for practical Christian charity and moral reform. His ascetic lifestyle and dedication to the Christian faith led to his appointment as Archbishop of Constantinople in 398, where he continued his reform efforts, advocating for the poor and criticizing the lavish lifestyles of the wealthy and powerful.

Exile and Death

John's outspokenness, particularly against the empress Eudoxia, and his condemnation of the misuse of power in both the church and imperial court, led to his exile in 403. Though briefly reinstated, he was exiled again in 404 and died on 14 September 407 during a forced march to Pityus on the eastern coast of the Black Sea.

Theology and Legacy

John Chrysostom's contributions to Christian theology are vast, including his writings on the Divine Liturgy and numerous homilies interpreting the Scriptures. He emphasized the importance of liturgical life and the power of the Eucharist, and his teachings on the Pauline epistles and the Gospels are considered foundational in Christian thought. His stance on social justice and care for the poor influenced Christian social thought profoundly.

John's legacy is marked by his canonization as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Roman Catholic Church, and the Anglican Communion. The Eastern Orthodox Church honors him as one of the Three Holy Hierarchs, along with Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzus. His liturgical contributions are commemorated in the Divine Liturgy of John Chrysostom, one of the most celebrated forms of the Eucharist in Eastern Christianity.

Controversies

Despite his sainthood, some of John's writings, particularly those directed against Judaism and anathematizing certain Jewish practices, have been criticized for their harsh rhetoric. These aspects of his work have been subjects of scholarly debate, particularly in discussions on Christian-Jewish relations in the early centuries of the Christian era.

Works

John Chrysostom's extant works include over 600 sermons, commentaries on the Bible, and letters. His homilies on the Book of Genesis, the Psalms, and the New Testament are particularly notable for their depth of insight and applicability to Christian life.

See Also

• Early Christian Fathers
• Byzantine Empire
• Eastern Orthodox Liturgy
• Christian Theology