St John Chrysostom
St. John Chrysostom (c. 349–407) was the Archbishop of Constantinople, a brilliant preacher and theologian known as the “golden-mouthed,” and is honored in the Catholic and Orthodox Churches as a saint and Doctor of the Church.
St. John Chrysostom, the Golden-Mouthed Doctor
In the days when the faith of Christ was spreading among the nations, God raised up a most wondrous preacher, John of Antioch, whom the Church names Chrysostom, that is, golden-mouthed. Endowed with surpassing eloquence and burning zeal, he turned many hearts toward the way of salvation and confounded those who opposed the Gospel of Christ.
His Life and Ministry
Born in Antioch, John was first trained in the arts of worldly rhetoric, yet he forsook earthly glory for the service of the Lord. After a time of ascetic labor, he was ordained priest and set in the great city to feed the flock of Christ with his homilies. In due course he was elevated to the throne of Constantinople, where he contended valiantly for righteousness, suffering exile for the truth, and at last surrendering his soul to God in 407.
His Holy Preaching
John’s tongue, as if touched by the Spirit, poured forth rivers of wisdom. He illuminated the divine Scriptures with clarity and fire, so that even the simple might understand the mysteries of Christ. His homilies struck against vice, lifted up the poor, and admonished the proud. For this reason, the whole Church honors him as a Doctor and Father.
Against the Errors of the Jews
In his day, many of the faithful in Antioch were tempted to join in the observances of the synagogue and to imitate the rites of the Jews. Perceiving the peril to Christian souls, John thundered forth sermons against such practices, urging the people to cling solely to Christ and His Church. With vehement speech he reproved the stubbornness of the synagogue, lest the weak be led astray. In this he showed the zeal of Elias and the boldness of the prophets, defending the truth of the Gospel with the sword of the Spirit.
His Legacy
Thus did Chrysostom shine as a lamp of the Church, his words more precious than gold, his life a pattern of virtue, and his sufferings a crown of martyrdom in desire. To this day the faithful revere him as one of the greatest Fathers, whose mouth the Lord filled with wisdom, so that he might strengthen the brethren and guard the flock from error.