Life and significance
The golden-mouthed preacher
St John Chrysostom was born in Antioch and received an excellent education before embracing an ascetic Christian life. After serving as deacon and priest, he became famous for preaching that explained Scripture clearly and applied it directly to daily Christian conduct. In 398 he was made Archbishop of Constantinople. His efforts to reform clergy, confront luxury, and defend the poor brought him into conflict with powerful figures at court and in the Church. He was eventually deposed and sent into exile, where he died in 407.
John’s surviving homilies cover large portions of Scripture and remain among the most widely read works of the Fathers. He repeatedly joins right belief with repentance, almsgiving, family life, prayer, and care for the suffering. The Divine Liturgy bearing his name is the normal Eucharistic liturgy of the Byzantine Orthodox tradition. The Church calls him “Chrysostom,” or “Golden-Mouthed,” and honors him among the Three Holy Hierarchs.