John Chrysostom
John was born in Antioch, Roman Syria, around the year 347. His father died shortly after his birth, leaving him to be raised by his mother Anthusa. The exact date of his birth remains a subject of scholarly debate, with estimates ranging from 340 to 350. John Norman Davidson Kelly favors 349 as the most accurate date based on available evidence. He began his education under the rhetorician Libanius at the Sophist school. This training provided him with skills for a career in law and rhetoric. Libanius reportedly said on his deathbed that John would have been his successor if Christians had not taken him away. John eventually became a lawyer before turning toward theology.
In 381, John was ordained as a deacon by Bishop Meletius of Antioch. He later served as a presbyter starting around 386 during the twelve-year period leading up to 397. During this time, he preached at the Golden Church, which was Antioch's cathedral. His homilies gained popularity among both the poor and wealthy classes due to their direct style. One notable incident occurred during Lent in 387 when Flavian, the bishop of the city, intervened with Emperor Theodosius I after citizens mutilated statues of the emperor and his family. John delivered more than twenty homilies urging the people to repent. These sermons led many pagans to convert to Christianity and spared the city from severe consequences. He emphasized charitable giving and criticized the abuse of wealth and personal property.
After denouncing the dedication ceremonies of a silver statue of Empress Eudoxia erected near the Hagia Sophia, John was exiled again. This time he was sent to the Caucasus region in Abkhazia. He never reached this destination alive. During transport, he died at Comana Pontica on the 14th of September 407 while traveling through modern-day Gümenek, Tokat, Turkey. His last words are recorded as Glory be to God for all things. Before dying, he wrote letters appealing for help to Pope Innocent I, Venerius bishop of Mediolanum, and Chromatius bishop of Aquileia. These appeals were ignored despite efforts by Gaudentius of Brescia who led a delegation to intercede on behalf of John. The causes of his exile remain unclear though some historians suggest connections to Arianism or struggles between Johannite and anti-Johannite camps in Constantinople.
During his first two
years as a presbyter in Antioch from 386 to 387, John delivered eight homilies targeting Christians participating in Jewish festivals and observances. These sermons criticized Judaizing Christians who observed shabbats, underwent circumcision, and made pilgrimages to Jewish holy places. There had been a revival of Jewish faith and tolerance in Antioch in 361 which increased contact between Christians and Jews. Chrysostom feared this interaction would draw Christians away from their faith identity. His followers and the greater Christian community frequently encountered Jews during this period. Due to his stature within the church hierarchy, these sermons successfully spread anti-Jewish sentiment. They contributed to ideas that synagogues were full of Christians especially women who loved the solemnity of Jewish liturgy. Some scholars argue calling him an anti-Semite employs anachronistic terminology given historical context while others assert his
theology represented a form of anti-Jewish supersessionism.
John harmonized the liturgical life of the church by revising prayers and rubrics of the Divine Liturgy still celebrated today by Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches of the Byzantine Rite. Over seven hundred sermons and two hundred forty-six letters survive along with biblical commentaries moral discourses and theological treatises. Among his exegetical works are sixty-seven homilies on Genesis fifty-nine on Psalms ninety on Matthew eighty-eight on John and fifty-five on Acts. One famous short work is the Paschal Homily read at Easter services in the Eastern Orthodox Church. His writings display characteristics of both Antiochian literal interpretation and Alexandrian allegorical methods. He also wrote treatises such as Against Those Who Oppose the Monastic Life directed toward parents whose sons considered monastic vocations. Another important book titled On The Priesthood contains accounts of his early years and defenses against
ordination flight. Letters to deaconess Olympias number seventeen extant examples among his correspondence.
John came to be venerated as a saint soon after his death in 407. An anonymous supporter known as pseudo-Martyrius wrote a funeral oration shortly thereafter to reclaim him as a symbol of Christian orthodoxy. Proclus archbishop of Constantinople from 434 to 446 preached homies praising his predecessor hoping to reconcile Johannites. In 438 thirty years after John's death relics were transferred back to Constantinople under Emperor Theodosius II during the reign of Empress Eudoxia's son. Most relics were looted by crusaders in 1204 and taken to Rome though some bones returned to the Orthodox Church on the 27th of November 2004 by Pope John Paul II. Today these remain enshrined in the Church of St George Istanbul. The skull kept at Vatopedi monastery on Mount Athos was not among those taken by crusaders. It was moved to Russia
in 1655 for two thousand rubles compensation then later returned to Russian Orthodox Church in 1988. Two Italian sites claim possession of the skull while numerous smaller relics are scattered worldwide including the right hand preserved at Philotheou Monastery.
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Common questions
When was John Chrysostom born and what is the most accurate date according to scholars?
John Chrysostom was born in Antioch, Roman Syria, around the year 347. John Norman Davidson Kelly favors 349 as the most accurate date based on available evidence.
Where did John Chrysostom die and when did his death occur?
John Chrysostom died at Comana Pontica while traveling through modern-day Gümenek, Tokat, Turkey. He passed away on the 14th of September 407 during transport to the Caucasus region in Abkhazia.
What specific homilies did John Chrysostom deliver against Jewish festivals between 386 and 387?
John Chrysostom delivered eight homilies targeting Christians participating in Jewish festivals and observances from 386 to 387. These sermons criticized Judaizing Christians who observed shabbats, underwent circumcision, and made pilgrimages to Jewish holy places.
How many letters and sermons by John Chrysostom survive today?
Over seven hundred sermons and two hundred forty-six letters survive along with biblical commentaries moral discourses and theological treatises. Among his exegetical works are sixty-seven homilies on Genesis fifty-nine on Psalms ninety on Matthew eighty-eight on John and fifty-five on Acts.
When were the relics of John Chrysostom transferred back to Constantinople after his death?
Relics of John Chrysostom were transferred back to Constantinople under Emperor Theodosius II in 438. Some bones returned to the Orthodox Church on the 27th of November 2004 by Pope John Paul II while other remains remain enshrined in the Church of St George Istanbul.