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Saints

St. John Chrysostom

Patron of preachers and orators

Glory be to God for all things.

I

Life

ST. JOHN was born at Antioch in 344. In order to break with a world which admired and courted him, he in 374 retired for six years to a neighboring mountain. Having thus acquired the art of Christian silence, he returned to Antioch, and there labored as priest, until he was ordained Bishop of Constantinople in 398. The effect of his sermons was everywhere marvellous. He was very urgent that his people should frequent the holy sacrifice, and in order to remove all excuse he abbreviated the long Liturgy until then in use. St. Nilus relates that St. John Chrysostom was wont to see, when the priest began the holy sacrifice, "many of the blessed ones coming down from heaven in shining garments, and with bare feet, eyes intent, and bowed heads, in utter stillness and silence, assisting at the consummation of the tremendous mystery."

Beloved as he was in Constantinople, his denunciations of vice made him numerous enemies. In 403 these procured his banishment; and although he was almost immediately recalled, it was not more than a reprieve. In 404 he was banished to Cucusus in the deserts of Taurus.

In 407 he was wearing out, but his enemies were impatient. They hurried him off to Pytius on the Euxine, a rough journey of nigh 400 miles. He was assiduously exposed to every hardship, cold, wet, and semi-starvation, but nothing could overcome his cheerfulness and his consideration for others. On the journey his sickness increased, and he was warned that his end was nigh. Thereupon, exchanging his travel-stained clothes for white garments, he received Viaticum, and with his customary words, "Glory be to God for all things. Amen," passed to Christ.

From Pictorial Lives of the Saints

II

Reading

Commentary on Galatians John Chrysostom Correspondence with Pope Innocent I John Chrysostom First Homily on Eutropius John Chrysostom Four Letters to Olympias John Chrysostom Homilies on Acts John Chrysostom Homilies on Colossians John Chrysostom Homilies on Ephesians John Chrysostom Homilies on First Corinthians John Chrysostom Homilies on First Thessalonians John Chrysostom Homilies on First Timothy John Chrysostom Homilies on Philemon John Chrysostom Homilies on Philippians John Chrysostom Homilies on Romans John Chrysostom Homilies on Second Corinthians John Chrysostom Homilies on Second Thessalonians John Chrysostom Homilies on Second Timothy John Chrysostom Homilies on the Epistle to the Hebrews John Chrysostom Homilies on the Gospel of John John Chrysostom Homilies on the Gospel of St. Matthew John Chrysostom Homilies on the Statues John Chrysostom Homilies on Titus John Chrysostom Homily Against Publishing the Errors of the Brethren John Chrysostom Homily Concerning "Lowliness of Mind" John Chrysostom Homily on St. Babylas John Chrysostom Homily on St. Ignatius John Chrysostom Homily on the Paralytic Lowered Through the Roof John Chrysostom Homily on the Passage "Father, if it be possible . . ." John Chrysostom Homily on the Passage "If your enemy hunger, feed him." John Chrysostom Instructions to Catechumens John Chrysostom Letter to a Young Widow John Chrysostom Letter to Some Priests of Antioch John Chrysostom No One Can Harm the Man Who Does Not Injure Himself John Chrysostom On the Priesthood John Chrysostom Second Homily on Eutropius (After His Captivity) John Chrysostom Three Homilies on the Power of Satan John Chrysostom Two Letters to Theodore After His Fall John Chrysostom

Collections

St. John Chrysostom 36 books
III

Feast

Saint John Chrysostom, bishop and doctor of the Church

O God, strength of those who hope in you,

who willed that the Bishop Saint John Chrysostom

should be illustrious by his wonderful eloquence

and his experience of suffering,

grant us, we pray,

that, instructed by his teachings,

we may be strengthened through the example

of his invincible patience.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.

IV

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