John Chrysostom

John was born in Cappadocia in Syria about the year 347 AD. His father was a senior officer in the Roman army, however, he died shortly after his son’s birth. His mother, Anthusa, was a woman of deep faith, and, rather than remarry she devoted herself to the education of her two children – John and an older sister. Following the death of her only daughter, Anthusa gave herself entirely to the education of her son.

John completed his secular education at the famous school of Libanius, and there, he gained a great reputation as a lawyer, teacher and outstanding public speaker. However, it was not long before his thoughts turned towards the things of God. He decided to study theology and devote his life to the spread and support of Christianity.

At the school of Libanius, John made friends with a fellow-student, named Basil, who left the world and dedicated himself to the study of sacred Scripture. John decided to do the same becoming an ascetic and hermit. He desired only to consecrate his life to the worship of God in a monastic discipline. Because of his severe penances, John’s health gave way and he had to return to Cappadocia to recuperate. There he was ordained a deacon. He took care of the hospitals and refuges, and, began distributing relief to the poor and the destitute. At the insistence of the local bishop, Flavianos, John was ordained a priest. He thus began his ministry as a famous preacher. Great crowds attended his sermons in which, by his oratorical gifts, he explained the Holy Bible and defended the true Faith.

By a ruse, he was abducted from Cappadocia and, to the great joy of the populace, he was ordained Archbishop of Constantinople, on 26 February, 398. John laboured with great enthusiasm and perseverance, he assisted the poor and bound himself to the poverty urged in the Gospels. John sold off assets from the eparchial residence and used the funds to build hospitals, hostels for strangers, orphanages and refuges for the poor. However, he clashed with the imperial authorities because he could not ignore the abuses at court. He was especially opposed by the Empress, Eudokia, who conspired with several of her friends, to have him deposed and exiled to the Armenian borderlands. After much hardship, he reposed in the Lord, on 14 September, 407 AD, at the age of sixty. In 483 AD, during the reign of Eudokia’s son, Theodosius II, John’s holy relics were returned in triumph to Constantinople. 
 
 
Issam John Darwish BSO DD
Eparch