"golden-mouthed"

St. John Chrysostom, whose name resounds with the grace of oratory and sanctity, was born around the year 349 in the illustrious city of Antioch, Syria. Baptized as John, he exhibited an early affinity for divine contemplation and ecclesiastical studies. Educated under the tutelage of distinguished scholars and theologians, St. John was eventually ordained a deacon and later a priest, his eloquence in preaching earning him the esteemed epithet "Chrysostom," meaning "Golden-Mouthed."

St. John Chrysostom’s sermons, imbued with profound theological insights and stirring rhetoric, captivated the hearts and minds of his contemporaries. His teachings, which emphasized the transformative power of divine grace and the importance of moral integrity, were delivered with such fervor and clarity that they left an indelible mark upon the Christian faithful. 

In 398, he was elevated to the esteemed position of Archbishop of Constantinople. His tenure as bishop was distinguished by his ardent reform efforts and his unwavering commitment to ecclesiastical purity. However, his unrelenting stance against the excesses of the wealthy and the moral laxity of the court brought him into conflict with both secular and ecclesiastical authorities.

Despite his trials, which included multiple exiles and a final banishment to the inhospitable region of Armenia, St. John’s spirit remained unbroken. His writings, comprising homilies, letters, and theological treatises, remain a testament to his formidable intellect and steadfast devotion.

St. John Chrysostom’s death in 407 marked the end of a life dedicated to the exaltation of Christ and the edification of the Church. Canonized as a Doctor of the Church, his legacy endures through the timeless wisdom and the eloquent zeal with which he proclaimed the Gospel, a beacon of righteousness for generations to come.

Experct from a homily  by St. John Chrysostom on the Acts of the Apostles 

To many persons this Book is so little known, both it and its author, that they are not even aware that there is such a book in existence. For this reason especially I have taken this narrative for my subject, that I may draw to it such as do not know it, and not let such a treasure as this remain hidden out of sight. For indeed it may profit us no less than even the Gospels; so replete is it with Christian wisdom and sound doctrine, especially in what is said concerning the Holy Ghost. Then let us not hastily pass by it, but examine it closely. Thus, the predictions which in the Gospels Christ utters, here we may see these actually come to pass; and note in the very facts the bright evidence of Truth which shines in them, and the mighty change which is taking place in the disciples now that the Spirit has come upon them. For example, they heard Christ say, Whoever believes in Me, the works that I do shall he do also, and greater works than these shall he do and again, when He foretold to the disciples, that they should be brought before rulers and kings, and in their synagogues they should scourge them, and that they should suffer grievous things, and overcome all and that the Gospel should be preached in all the world now all this, how it came to pass exactly as it was said, may be seen in this Book, and more besides, which He told them while yet with them. Here again you will see the Apostles themselves, speeding their way as on wings over land and sea; and those same men, once so timorous and void of understanding, on the sudden become quite other than they were; men despising wealth, and raised above glory and passion and concupiscence, and in short all such affections: moreover, what unanimity there is among them now; nowhere any envying as there was before, nor any of the old hankering after the preeminence, but all virtue brought in them to its last finish, and shining through all, with surpassing lustre, that charity, concerning which the Lord had given so many charges saying, In this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if you love one another. John 13:35 And then, besides, there are doctrines to be found here, which we could not have known so surely as we now do, if this Book had not existed, but the very crowning point of our salvation would be hidden, alike for practice of life and for doctrine.

An Easter homily from St. John Chrysostom

If any be a devout lover of God, let him partake with gladness from this fair and radiant feast.

If any be a faithful servant, let him enter rejoicing into the joy of his Lord.

If any have wearied himself with fasting, let him now enjoy his reward.

If any have labored from the first hour, let him receive today his rightful due.

If any have come after the third, let him celebrate the feast with thankfulness.

If any have come after the sixth, let him not be in doubt, for he will suffer no loss.

If any have delayed until the ninth, let him not hesitate but draw near.

If any have arrived only at the eleventh, let him not be afraid because he comes so late.

For the Master is generous and accepts the last even as the first. He gives rest to him who comes at the eleventh hour in the same was as him who has laboured from the first. He accepts the deed, and commends the intention.Enter then, all of you, into the joy of our Lord. First and last, receive alike your reward. Rich and poor, dance together. You who fasted and you who have not fasted, rejoice together. The table is fully laden: let all enjoy it. The calf is fatted: let none go away hungry.

Let none lament his poverty; for the universal Kingdom is revealed.

Let none bewail his transgressions; for the light of forgiveness has risen from the tomb.

Let none fear death; for death of the Saviour has set us free.

He has destroyed death by undergoing death. He has despoiled hell by descending into hell. He vexed it even as it tasted of His flesh. Isaiah foretold this when he cried: Hell was filled with bitterness when it met Thee face to face below; filled with bitterness, for it was brought to nothing; filled with bitterness, for it was mocked; filled with bitterness, for it was overthrown; filled with bitterness, for it was put in chains. Hell received a body, and encountered God. It received earth, and confronted heaven.

O death, where is your sting?

O hell, where is your victory?

Christ is risen! And you, o death, are annihilated!

Christ is risen! And the evil ones are cast down!

Christ is risen! And the angels rejoice!

Christ is risen! And life is liberated!

Christ is risen! And the tomb is emptied of its dead; for Christ having risen from the dead, is become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep.To Him be Glory and Power, now and forever, and from all ages to all ages.

Amen!

A famous quote on teaching children

"When we teach our children to be good, to be gentle, to be forgiving (all these are attributes of God), to be generous, to love their follow men, to regard this present age as nothing, we instill virtue in their souls, and reveal the image of God within them."

Excerpt from a homily  by St. John Chrysostom on Genesis

But if the enemies of the truth persist in maintaining that nothingness can produce nothing, let us ask them: Has the first man been formed of the earth or of any other matter? - Earth, they will answer unanimously. Let them tell us how the flesh of man was formed from the earth! We knead it to shape bricks, tiles and vases; but is this how man was formed? And how, from one and the same matter, can you draw so many different substances: bones, nerves and arteries, flesh, skin, nails and hair? Here they can not give any reasonable answer. And if, from the body, I pass to the food that nourishes it, I will ask them how the bread that we eat every day, and which is a homogeneous substance, is converted into blood and chyle, into bile and various moods; for the bread preserves the whiteness of the flour, and the blood is red or purplish. But if our adversaries can not explain these phenomena which are daily being accomplished before their eyes, how much more difficult would they be to render reason for the other works of the Lord! Therefore, if they continue to reject these many demonstrations and if they persist in their unbelief, we will content ourselves with opposing them the same answer and saying again: In the beginning, God created the sky and the earth. This single word suffices us to overthrow all the entrenchments of our adversaries, and to ruin in their foundation all their vain reasonings. If they at least wanted to finally stop this stubborn resistance, they could return to the path of truth.

From a homily by Saint John Chrysostom, bishop

Prayer is the light of the spirit

Prayer and converse with God is a supreme good: it is a partnership and union with God. As the eyes of the body are enlightened when they see light, so our spirit, when it is intent on God, is illumined by his infinite light. I do not mean the prayer of outward observance but prayer from the heart, not confined to fixed times or periods, but continuous throughout the day and night.

Our spirit should be quick to reach out toward God not only when it is engaged in meditation; at other times also, when it is carrying out its duties, caring for the needy, performing works of charity, giving generously in the service of others, our spirit should long for God, and call him to mind, so that these works may be seasoned with the salt of God’s love, and so make a palatable offering to the Lord of the universe. Throughout the whole of our lives we may enjoy the benefit that comes from prayer if we devote a great deal of time to it.

Prayer is the light of the spirit, true knowledge of God, mediating between God and man. The spirit, raised up to heaven by prayer, clings to God with the utmost tenderness; like a child crying tearfully for its mother, it craves the milk that God provides. It seeks the satisfaction of its own desires, and receives gifts outweighing the whole world of nature.

Prayer stands before God as an honored ambassador. It gives joy to the spirit, peace to the heart. I speak of prayer, not words. It is the longing for God, love too deep for words, a gift not given by man but by God’s grace. The apostle Paul says: We do not know how we are to pray but the Spirit himself pleads for us with inexpressible longings.

When the Lord gives this kind of prayer to someone; he gives him riches that cannot be taken away, heavenly food that satisfies the spirit. One who tastes this food is set on fire with an eternal longing for the Lord: his spirit burns as in a fire of the utmost intensity.

Practice prayer from the beginning. Paint your house with the colors of modesty and humility. Make it radiant with the light of justice. Decorate it with the finest gold leaf of good deeds. Adorn it with the walls and stones of faith and generosity. Crown it with the pinnacle of prayer. In this way you will make it a perfect dwelling place for the Lord. You will be able to receive him as in a splendid palace, and through his grace you will already possess him, his image enthroned in the temple of your spirit

From the Catecheses of Saint John Chrysostom, bishop

Christ and Moses

The Israelites witnessed marvels; you also will witness marvels, greater and more splendid than those which accompanied them on their departure from Egypt. You did not see Pharaoh drowned with his armies, but you have seen the devil with his weapons overcome by the waters of baptism. The Israelites passed through the sea; you have passed from death to life. They were delivered from the Egyptians; you have been delivered from the powers of darkness. The Israelites were freed from slavery to a pagan people; you have been freed from the much greater slavery to sin.

Do you need another argument to show that the gifts you have received are greater than theirs? The Israelites could not look on the face of Moses in glory, though he was their fellow servant and kinsman. But you have seen the face of Christ in his glory. Paul cried out: We see the glory of the Lord with faces unveiled.

In those days Christ was present to the Israelites as he followed them, but he is present to us in a much deeper sense. The Lord was with them because of the favor he showed to Moses; now he is with us not simply because of Moses but also because of your obedience. After Egypt they dwelt in desert places; after your departure you will dwell in heaven. Their great leader and commander was Moses; we have a new Moses, God himself, as our leader and commander.

What distinguished the first Moses? Moses, Scripture tells us, was more gentle than all who dwelt upon the earth. We can rightly say the same of the new Moses, for there was with him the very Spirit of gentleness, united to him in his inmost being. In those days Moses raised his hands to heaven and brought down manna, the bread of angels; the new Moses raises his hands to heaven and gives us the food of eternal life. Moses struck the rock and brought forth streams of water; Christ touches his table, strikes the spiritual rock of the new covenant and draws forth the living water of the Spirit. This rock is like a fountain in the midst of Christ’s table, so that on all sides the flocks may draw near to this living spring and refresh themselves in the waters of salvation.

Since this fountain, this source of life, this table surrounds us with untold blessings and fills us with the gifts of the Spirit, let us approach it with sincerity of heart and purity of conscience to receive grace and mercy in our time of need. Grace and mercy be yours from the only-begotten Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; through him and with him be glory, honor and power to the Father and the life-giving Spirit, now and always and for ever. Amen.