St John Chrysostom

Archbishop of Constantinople, Doctor of the Church · Feast: 13 November

St John Chrysostom
Semyon Spiridonov Kholmogorets, St John Chrysostom with forty scenes from his life, icon, tempera on wood, 1670s–1680s, from the church of St Nicholas Mokry, Yaroslavl, Russia. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
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Word for the day

“Proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching.” 2 Timothy 4:2

Life

John was born in Antioch around 347. After years as a monk he was ordained a priest and became the greatest preacher of his age; later generations called him Chrysostom, the golden-mouthed. In 398 he was made Archbishop of Constantinople.

He preached against the luxury of the rich and the neglect of the poor, reformed the clergy and cared for the sick. His frankness made powerful enemies, including the empress Eudoxia; he was deposed and exiled, and died in 407 on a forced march at Comana in Pontus. The Latin Church keeps his memorial on 13 September; the Eastern Churches remember him on 13 November.

Lessons

Preach in season and out

He spoke the truth whether it pleased or not.

Honour Christ in the poor

He taught that we cannot honour Christ at the altar and ignore him in the street.

Gratitude in suffering

Tradition gives his last words as: glory to God for all things.

Stories

Glory to God for all things (tradition)

His early biographer Palladius records that, dying in exile, John gave thanks to God for everything.

Words of the saint

Glory to God for all things.
St John Chrysostom's last words, as handed down by tradition

Homily

1. Proclaim the word

Be persistent whether the time is favourable or unfavourable (2 Timothy 4:2).

2. The altar and the street

The Christ we honour in the Holy Qurbono waits for us in the poor.

3. Thanks in exile

Glory to God for all things: gratitude even in suffering.

Dear friends, St John Chrysostom was called the golden-mouthed because his preaching moved thousands. But his words were not only beautiful; they were brave. Paul had told Timothy to proclaim the message whether the time is favourable or unfavourable (2 Timothy 4:2), and John did.

He told the rich of Constantinople that it is useless to honour Christ's body in church with silk vestments while leaving him naked and cold outside. He reformed the clergy and cared for the sick. For this he was exiled, and he died on the road.

Tradition says his last words were: glory to God for all things. Let us learn from him to honour Christ both at the altar and in the poor, to speak the truth with love, and to thank God even in hardship. Amen.

Prayer

Lord God, you gave St John Chrysostom the gift of eloquence and the courage of truth. Through his prayers, make us honour Christ in the Holy Qurbono and in the poor, and give thanks to you for all things. Amen.