John Chrysostom

Saint John Chrysostom was born around 347 in Antioch of Roman Syria, in today’s Antakya, Turkey. Raised by his widowed mother, he received a superb education in rhetoric and law, yet his heart was drawn to Christ. After baptism he pursued theology and embraced a demanding ascetic life as a hermit, a zeal that damaged his health and brought him back to the city. Ordained a deacon and later a priest, he became famous in Antioch for preaching that joined clear Scripture teaching to urgent calls for repentance, mercy, and care for the poor. In 397 he was chosen, without seeking it, as Archbishop of Constantinople. There he reformed clergy, refused lavish courtly living, and founded hospitals, winning the love of ordinary people while provoking resistance from the powerful. His fearless denunciation of corruption and extravagance led to political and ecclesiastical enemies, and he was deposed and sent into exile, suffering for the Gospel he proclaimed. Revered as a Doctor of the Church and “golden-mouthed” preacher, he is also patron of Giuliano di Lecce and the Saint John the Evangelist parish of Lévis. His feast day is January 27.