A Saint for September: John Chrysostom

On 13 September we remembered the life and work of Saint John Chrysostom ( c.349- 407 AD), the great preacher of Antioch and the archbishop of Constantinople

Image: Chrysostemos | Carl Christian Peters

John was the Patriarch of Constantinople and one of the most important early theologians. He is known for his preaching and public speaking, his denunciation of abuse of authority by both ecclesiastical and political leaders and his ascetic sensibilities.

The  epithet Χρυσόστομος (Chrysostomos, anglicized as Chrysostom) means  “golden-mouthed” in Greek and points to his celebrated eloquence.  Chrysostom was among the most prolific authors in the early Christian Church, exceeded only by Augustine of Hippo in the quantity of his surviving writings. He emphasised charitable giving and was concerned with the spiritual and temporal needs of the poor. 

“Happiness can only be achieved by looking inward & learning to enjoy whatever life has and this requires transforming greed into gratitude.”
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― John Chrysostom"

​John spoke against  abuse of wealth and personal property. After he was made Patriarch, he quickly started practicing what he preached. Reforms began with his new house, the Episcopal palace, which had been turned into a place of  extravagant hospitality for the upper class of Constantinople and the clergy. He also reformed his clergy, monastics, budgets, and even sold some precious items stored at the chancery, using the excess money to build a hospital and serve the poor. He angered the wealthy by preaching against the misuse of money, especially while one’s brother goes hungry. His severe criticism of the extravagance of the rulers of his time led to his  banishment and subsequent death.