St. John Chrysostom, a Great 4th-century Saint, is considered an early father of the Catholic church. St. John Chrysostom lived from 347 to 407 in modern-day Turkey. St. John Chrysostom is honored as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran churches. He is a noted scholar and an inspiration to priests. What is amazing is that almost 700 of his sermons and 246 letters by St. John Chrysostom survive, more than 1500 years after his death. He served as archbishop of Constantinople. Do you know of any greater men than St. John Chrysostom?
Biography of St. John Chrysostom
St. John Chrysostom was born in Antioch, Roman Syria, in 347. His mother was a Christian, and his father died soon after his birth. He was baptised in 368 or 373. When he grew up, John became a hermit in about 375; he spent the next two years continually standing, scarcely sleeping, and committing the Bible to memory. As a consequence of these practices, his stomach and kidneys were permanently damaged, and poor health forced him to return to Antioch.
In Antioch, over twelve years (386–397), St. John Chrysostom gained popularity because of the eloquence of his public speaking, Antioch’s cathedral, especially his insightful expositions of Bible passages and moral teaching. The most valuable of his works from this period are his homilies on various books of the Bible, it is amazing they still exist. He emphasised charitable giving and was concerned with the poor.
In the autumn of 397, John was appointed archbishop of Constantinople. During his time as archbishop, he refused to host lavish social gatherings, which made him popular with the common people but unpopular with wealthy citizens and the clergy. His reforms of the clergy were also unpopular. He told visiting regional preachers to return to the churches they were meant to be serving, without any payout. He also founded several hospitals in Constantinople. His charity was legendary.
He was exiled, though scholars do not know why. He died in the Presbyterium in the community of the clergy belonging to the church of Saint Basiliscus of Comana. His last words are said to have been “Glory be to God for all things.”
Conclusion
St. John Chrysostom was one of the early church fathers, and it is simply amazing that his works exist 1500 years after his death. His words exist to inspire Catholics and, in particular, advise those who are seeking a vocation as a priest. He lived an eventful life, and it is instructive that he was tortured. exiled and died young. That is the case with the saints, as they face trials in their lives, and they tend to die young.
