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Also known as: Greatest
of the Greek Fathers; Golden-Mouth; Giovanni Crisostomo
Profile
John's father died when he was young, and he was raised by a very pious
mother. Well educated; studied rhetoric under Libanius, one of the most
famous orators of his day. Monk. Preacher and priest for a dozen years in
Syria. While there he developed a stomach ailment that troubled him the
rest of his life.
It was for his sermons that John earned the title "Chrysostom" (golden
mouthed). They were always on point, they explained the Scriptures with
clarity, and they sometimes went on for hours. Made a reluctant bishop of
Constantinople in 398, a move that involved him in imperial politics.
Criticized the rich for not sharing their wealth, fought to reform the
clergy, prevented the sale of ecclesiastical offices, called for fidelity
in marriage, encouraged practices of justice and charity.
Archbishop and Patriarch of Constantinople. Revised the Greek Liturgy.
Greek Father of the Church. Proclaimed Doctor of the Church in 451.
John's sermons caused nobles and bishops to work to remove him from his
diocese; twice exiled from his diocese. Banished to Pythius, and died on
the way.
"When you perceive that God is chastening you, fly not to his
enemies...but to his friends, the martyrs, the saints, and those who were
pleasing to him, and who have great power in God." John Chrysostom:
Orations 396AD
Born
c.347 at Antioch, Asia Minor
Died
407
Name Meaning
John = God is gracious; Chrysostom = golden-mouthed
Patronage
Constantinople, epilepsy, epileptics, Istanbul lecturers, orators,
preachers, speakers
Readings
Let us relieve the poverty of those that beg of us and let us not be
over-exact about it.
-Saint John Chrysostom
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It is simply impossible to lead, without the aid of prayer, a virtuous
life.
-Saint John Chrysostom
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What prayer could be more true before God the Father than that which the
Son, who is Truth, uttered with His own lips?
Saint John Chrysostom
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God asks little, but He gives much.
Saint John Chrysostom
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When you are before the altar where Christ reposes, you ought no longer to
think that you are amongst men; but believe that there are troops of
angels and archangels standing by you, and trembling with respect before
the sovereign Master of Heaven and earth. Therefore, when you are in
church, be there in silence, fear, and veneration.
Saint John Chrysostom
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If the Lord should give you power to raise the dead, He would give much
less than He does when he bestows suffering. By miracles you would make
yourself debtor to Him, while by suffering He may become debtor to you.
And even if sufferings had no other reward than being able to bear
something for that God who loves you, is not this a great reward and a
sufficient remuneration? Whoever loves, understands what I say.
Saint John Chrysostom
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It is clear through unlearned men that the cross was persuasive; in fact,
it persuaded the whole world.
Paul had this in mind when he said, "The weakness of God is stronger than
men." That the preaching of these men was indeed divine is brought home to
us in the same way. For how otherwise could twelve uneducated men, who
lived on lakes and rivers and wastelands, get the idea for such an immense
enterprise? How could men who perhaps had never been in a city or public
square think of setting out to do battle with the whole world? That they
were fearful, timid men, the evangelist makes clear; he did not reject the
fact or try to hide their weaknesses. Indeed he turned these into a proof
of the truth. What did he say of them? That when Christ was arrested, the
others fled, despite all the miracles they had seen, while he who was
leader of the others denied him!
How then account for the fact that these men, who in Christ's lifetime did
not stand up to the attacks by the Jews, set forth to do battle with the
whole world once Christ was dead - if, as you claim, Christ did not rise
and speak to them and rouse their courage? It is evident, then, that if
they had not seen him risen and had proof of his power, they would not
have risked so much.
from a homily by Saint John Chrysostom on the first letter to the
Corinthians
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O envious one, you injure yourself more than he whom you would injure, and
the sword with which you wound will recoil and wound yourself.
What harm did Cain do to Abel? Contrary to his intention he did him the
greatest good, for he caused him to pass to a better and a blessed life,
and he himself was plunged into an abyss of woe. In what did Esau injure
Jacob? Did not his envy prevent him from being enriched in the place in
which he lived; and, losing the inheritance and the blessing of his
father, did he not die a miserable death? What harm did the brothers of
Joseph do to Joseph, whose envy went so far as to wish to shed his blood?
Were they not driven to the last extremity, and well-nigh perishing with
hunger, whilst their brother reigned all through Egypt?
It is ever thus; the more you envy your brother, the greater good you
confer upon him. God, who sees all, takes the cause of the innocent in
hand, and, irritated by the injury you inflict, deigns to raise up him
whom you wish to lower, and will punish you to the full extent of your
crime.
If God usually punishes those who rejoice at the misfortunes of their
enemies, how much more will He punish those who, excited by envy, seek to
do an injury to those who have never injured them?
Saint John Chrysostom
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To commit a murder, besides the not having the person in your power, there
are many measures and precautions to take. A favorable opportunity must be
waited for, and a place must be selected before we can put so damnable a
design into execution. More than this, the pistols may miss fire, blows
may not be sufficient, and all wounds are not mortal. But to deprive a man
of his reputation and honor, one word is sufficient. By finding out the
most sensitive part of his honor, you may tarnish his reputation by
telling it to all who know him, arid easily take away his character for
honor and integrity. To do this, however, no time is required, for
scarcely have you complacently cherished the wish to calumniate him, than
the sin is effected.
Saint John Chrysostom
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I beseech you, my brothers, to be ever on your guard against the habit of
swearing and blaspheming.
If a slave dare to pronounce the name of his master, he does it but
seldom, and then only with respect; therefore is it not a shocking impiety
to speak with contempt and irreverence of the name of the Master of angels
and seraphim? People handle the book of the Gospel with a religious fear,
and then only with clean hands, and yet your rash tongue would
inconsiderately profane the name of the Divine Author of the Gospel.
Would you wish to know with what respect, fear, and wonder the choirs of
the angels pronounce the adorable name? Listen to the prophet Isaiah: " I
saw," says Isaiah, "the Lord sitting upon a throne high and elevated; upon
it stood the seraphim, who cried one to another and said, Holy, holy,
holy, the Lord God of hosts, all the earth is full of His glory."
See with what terror they are seized, even while they praise and glorify
Him. As for you, my brethren, you know how cold and indifferent are the
prayers you say, and you know how frequently you blaspheme a name so
majestic, so sacred, and how you try to make excuses for the bad habit you
have contracted. It is easy, yes, I say, it is easy, with a little care,
attention, and reflection, to leave off this vicious habit.
Since we have fallen, my brethren, into this sin of blasphemy, I conjure
you, in the name of our Lord, to rebuke openly these blasphemers. When you
meet with such who publicly sin in this respect, correct them by word of
mouth, and, if necessary, by your strong arm. Let these shameless swearers
be covered with confusion. You could not employ your hand to a holier
work. And if you are given into custody, go boldly before the magistrate,
and say in your defense that you have avenged a blasphemy.
For if a person is punished for speaking contemptuously of a prince, is it
not reasonable to suppose that a person who speaks irreverently of God
should be sentenced to a severer punishment? It is a public crime, a
common injury which all the world ought to condemn.
Let the Jews and infidels see that our magistrates are Christians, and
that they will not allow those to go unpunished who insult and outrage
their Master.
Do you remember that it was a false oath that overturned the houses,
temples, and walls of Jerusalem, and from a superb city it became a mass
of ruins? Neither the sacred vessels nor the sanctuary could stay the
vengeance of a God justly angered against a violator of His word.
Sedecias did not receive a more favored treatment than Jerusalem. Flight
did not save him from his enemies. This prince, escaping secretly, was
pursued and taken by the Assyrians, who led him to their king. The king,
after asking him the reason of his perfidy, not only caused his children
to be killed, but deprived him of his sight, and sent him back to Babylon,
loaded with iron chains.
Would you know the reason why? It was that the barbarians and Jews who
inhabited the country adjoining Persia should know, by this terrible
example, that the breach of an oath is punishable.
Saint John Chrysostom, from the Seventh Homily
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