Saint John Chrysostom 347 - 407

Saint John Chrysostom 347 - 407

Prominent personality of Christianity, Her Great Father Church, Ecumenical Teacher and one of the Three Hierarchs, together with Basil the Great and Gregory the Theologian.

The Church named him Chrysostom for the beauty of his words, while for his rhetorical ability he was named "Demosthenes of Christianity".

John was born in Antioch (modern-day Antakya, Turkey) in 347.

He was orphaned by his father at a young age and was raised with the care of his mother Anthousa.

He studied rhetoric close to the famous teacher of the time Livanios. Together with his beloved friend Mega Vassilios

His teacher valued him so much for his intelligence and rhetorical skill that he said he would leave him as his successor in school if the Christians had not won him over.

After completing his studies, he returned to Antioch and retired to the desert for five years, where he practiced prayer and Bible study.

However, he fell ill and returned to Antioch, where he was ordained a deacon in 381 AD. (34 years old) by the Archbishop of Antioch Meletios.

Later by the successor of Meletios Flavianos, an elder at the age of 40.

During his priestly ministry he developed all his psychic gifts, fiery divine zeal and unprecedented eloquence in his sermons.

It shocked the crowds of Antioch and moved their souls deeply.

His fame reached the queen and so, on December 15, 397 AD, with a joint vote of King Arkadi and Clergy, he became Patriarch of Constantinople, something he never sought.

From this position, St. Chrysostom, among others, was a strict ascetic and a diligent interpreter of the Bible, as can be seen from his many writings (about 804 of his speeches survived).

Chrysostom's work is also the Divine Liturgy, which we perform almost every Sunday, with only a few conversions since then.

The torch of your mouth blazed with grace, enlightened the universe, deposited treasures of the world's greed, indicated the height of humility. But in your words of educators, Father, John Chrysostom, advocate the Word of Christ of God, save our souls.

Three Hierarchs, Father of the Church, Saint Chrysostom, Great Kingdom