St John Chrysostom John Chrysostom (c. 347-407, Ἰωάννης ὁ Χρυσόστομος

1. St John ChrysostomJohn Chrysostom (c. 347-407, Ἰωάννης ὁ Χρυσόστομος

2. The political arena: • During the golden era of the fathers there were no conflicts (bloody conflicts) between the church and the emperor palace. This happened latter in history in Europe in the middle ages. • The church was in peace (with few internal problems) but generally did not have and was not asked to give opinions to the political world. In fact it was always the opposite where the emperor being the highest and powerful person, he used to interfere in the church affairs. However the church always had kept certain limits of these interferences especially when it comes to deeper spiritual issues. Despite these boundaries we still see situations where the secular authority had deeply interred the spiritual realm, particularly after the 4th century.

3. St John Chrysostom • He was not a martyr for faith, since there were not faith related heresies that he was fighting, but he suffered till death from internal and external corruptions and backstabbing. But he stayed the perfect example of the person who stay firm towards his believes to the end. • For as much as he was persecuted and falsely accused in his life, latter he regained (after his departure) the honor and respect more than those who attacked him.

4. His life • He was born in Antioch in 344 A.D. Antioch was the great capital at that time. • He was born to a high standard family, his father -Secondus- was a high officer in the army (migister militum ruler of Syria) but he died young, his mother “Anthusa” decided to devote her life to raise him up and not get married again, she was a wise woman that managed well her earthly inheritance from her husband and her heavenly inheritance that is her son John.

5. Education: • After he finished his preliminary education, his mother and the Bishop of Antioch agreed to send him to study under one of the great philosophers at that time “Libanius”. Libanius was a heathen teacher but was the best of his time even st Basil studied under him. He once said when he was asked who would take over after his death, he said “John if not stolen from us by the Christian”.

6. Factors that influenced his personality: • Monasticism • Theological school of Antioch • He believed in; • Inner peace achieved not only by ascetic life but by the divine fire of the love of Christ. • He also emphasized on the love of the brethren. • He was disciple under Deodar of Tarsus between 372-375. Special studying the bible • He was also affected by st Basil the great, st Gregory of nizenaza, and st Gregory of Nyssa. • In the year 270, 3 years after his baptism, he was ordained “anagnostes” reader by Meletias the head of Antioch church

7. St John’s theological teachings • The bible is the major source of teaching. • Any historical study of the bible has to lead to supporting the original true meaning of the verses, and should not invent other unrelated theories to the verses. (the school of Antioch were more literal than mystical when it comes to interpretation) • He studied personal difference between the characters of the bible writers. • He did not get involved in discussion about the nature of Christ rather he concentrated on renewal of the heart of people, and inflaming their spiritual energy and pure love. • He loved the Gospel of st Matthew. He also loved st Paul. • He concentrated on behavioral rather than academic teaching.

8. Scary days in Antioch; • The statues teaching on 378 and revolts due to taxes. • St John as a pope • 397 A.D; done in discretion, Alexandria wanted another one (Isidoros) • The patriarchy of Constantinople. • Position among the other chairs (Alexandria, Rome, Jerusalem, and Antioch) it took its place politically as second one in 381 after the council, and then became more famous after st John.

9. He was against riches and over spending when it comes to the clergy. He sold the marble pillars of the cathedral…..etc. • He put an end to over spending in food and banquets • The problem of the tall brothers • Pope Theophilus being upset, and the council of Synodad quercum.

10. Departure • Efdoxia behind the seen of his exile then pardon then exile • His arrival to “Cucusus” north of Armenia • 407 end of summer orders came to transfer him to the farthest points of the empire on the Easter side of the black sea, in the way they stopped at Comana (small village) then pushed him despite his weakness to continue, he was totally exhausted, they brought him back to comona where he was dressed in white had communion and gave up the spirit 14 September 407 with his very famous saying “May God be blessed and glorified in every thing; amen”

11. Restoration • 31 years later 27, Jan 438 Emperor Theodosios Jr brought his body back to Constantinople for proper burial • 417 his name was reentered to the diptych by pope Atikos of Constantinople • 419 his name entered the diptych (commemoration of the saint) in Alexandria by St Cyril and he is mentioned in liturgy till today.

12. Personality • He was not a politician (compared to St Ambrosias). His firm holding of the truth made him not welcomed at the palace. • He was not fond of philosophy. Cf Origen, clement of Alexandria or Gregory of Nyssa • His theology was practical to lead people to Christ and did not try to have theories or academic theology, rather simple food for his simple sheep.

13. Personality • He did not fight heresies like St Athanasius, St Cyril, St Dioscouros. He was rather a shepherded full of love to his people and rarley used argumentative discussions • He was an ascetic. • He was an evangelist • He was a church man

14. He was realistic and practical in his spiritual life, to him entering heaven was a day to day task of honest labour. • In other words he believed that Christian should live heavenly life practiced on earth. • He was marvelous in believing in the human soul. He offered all his faith, hope, love, asceticism, studies worships..and all his life and breath of his live for the sake of “saving the human soul”

15. The reason of his success lies behind his believe that he is not doing a job but rather a life of loving fatherhood to the world in his heart. Preaching is the role of every one in the church in Christ Jesus by the Holy Spirit. • To him spiritual work is a natural radiance of the inner heart that knows Christ’s salvation. It is a natural result of the soul after meeting with Christ the righteous sun, which then will open the heart to love of all humanity. He said “I only live for you and your salvation”