St. John Chrysostom

Their story

John was born around 349 in Antioch, in Syria, one of the great cities of the Roman Empire. His father died when he was a baby, and his mother, Anthusa, widowed at twenty, devoted herself to raising him in the faith. He studied rhetoric with the best teachers of his day. After his baptism he lived for some years as a monk in the mountains, until his harsh penances ruined his health and he returned to the city. John was ordained a priest in Antioch, and for twelve years he preached there with such power and eloquence that he was later called Chrysostom, "golden mouth." Crowds packed the churches to hear him explain the Scriptures. He spoke plainly about the duty of the rich to care for the poor, saying that if we cannot find Christ in the beggar at the church door, we will not find Him in the chalice. In 398 John was made archbishop of Constantinople, the capital of the empire, against his wishes. He lived simply, reformed the clergy, built hospitals and criticized the luxury of the imperial court. He made powerful enemies, including the empress, and he was deposed and sent into exile twice. He died in 407 while being forced to march to a more distant place of exile, saying, "Glory be to God for all things." He is a Doctor of the Church, and the Eastern Churches still celebrate the Divine Liturgy that bears his name.