Sep 12: Happy Chrysostom Day

St. John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople

St. John Chrysostom is considered to be one of the greatest of the early Church fathers. He was born around 344 to Christian parents in the city of Antioch. After ordination to the priesthood, he earned the title Chrysostom, meaning golden-mouthed, because of his eloquent and bold preaching.

Later, he was elected archbishop of the great city of Constantinople. Despite suffering many illnesses throughout his life he kept up his daily preaching, corrected sinful customs, and earned the enmity of the nominally Christian Empress Eudoxia, who sent him to exile.

We have over 700 sermons and 246 letters of St. John Chrysostom’s, plus biblical commentaries, moral discourses, and theological treatises.

When St. John died September 14, 407, a terrible hailstorm fell on Constantinople. Four days later, the empress died as well.

This quote from St. John applies to every bishop: “If others lose their savor, then your ministry will help them regain it. But if you yourselves suffer that loss, you will drag others down with you. Therefore, the greater the undertakings put into your hands, the more zealous you must be.” 

—St. John Chrysostom’s homily on Matthew’s gospel; Liturgy of the hours IV:121