SAINT OF THE DAY · SEPTEMBER 13

Who was Saint John Chrysostom?

Saintly Editorial 2 min read
In short

Saint John Chrysostom: The golden voiced shepherd who defended the poor. Lived circa 347 to 407. Born in Antioch, Syria. Bishop, preacher, monk. Patron of preachers and exiles. Doctor and Father of the Church. Saintly remembers this saint on September 13.

  • Lived circa 347 to 407
  • Born in Antioch, Syria
  • Bishop, preacher, monk
  • Patron of preachers and exiles
  • Doctor and Father of the Church

Who was Saint John Chrysostom?

John was born in Antioch, a busy city of the Roman Empire. His father died soon after his birth. His young mother, Anthusa, raised John and his sister alone. She gave him a strong Christian faith and sent him to the finest schools. His voice was already being formed.

As a young man, John studied under Libanius, the most famous speaker in Antioch. Then he met Bishop Meletius. The bishop's gentle faith changed John's direction. John was baptized and became a lector, a church servant who read Scripture aloud. Soon he wanted a deeper life.

John left the city for the hills near Antioch. He lived among hermits, monks who sought God in solitude. For years he studied the Gospels and Paul's letters. Illness finally forced him back to the Christian community. That weakness revealed his true calling. John was meant to serve people.

In Constantinople, John preached every Sunday and feast day. Crowds praised his words, but he pressed them toward real change. He challenged wealthy Christians who ignored the poor. He gave alms, built hospitals, supported missionaries, and urged the Church to help anyone in need, including pagans and Jews.

John's preaching angered powerful people. When a silver statue of Empress Eudoxia stood near the church, public games disturbed the liturgy. John spoke against the disorder. His enemies claimed he had attacked the empress herself. Soon a hostile council deposed him, and soldiers prepared to remove him.

John once preached while Eutropius, a disgraced imperial official, hid beneath the altar seeking safety. The crowd hated him. John asked them to show mercy and forgive a man who needed time to repent. This was the pastor's heart. He defended truth, yet kept the door open for mercy.

John was sent away through heat, rain, and cruel treatment. At Comana, he was too sick to continue. He was carried into a martyr's chapel and received Holy Communion. He then said, “Glory be to God for all things.” He died there in 407. In 438, his body returned to Constantinople.

What can we learn from Saint John Chrysostom today?

  • Speak one truthful sentence today when comfort would make you stay silent.
  • Read one Gospel passage aloud, following John's practice of preaching Scripture clearly.
  • Offer practical help to someone overlooked, remembering John's hospitals and care for the poor.

Saint John Chrysostom remains a vivid witness because he joined bold preaching with pastoral care. He studied Scripture deeply, spoke against injustice, served the poor, and endured exile without surrendering his mission. His final words still reveal the center of his life: gratitude to God through every suffering.

When is the feast day of Saint John Chrysostom?

Saintly remembers Saint John Chrysostom on September 13, when the story above is the saint of the day in the app. Read how the Church declares someone a saint, or how to choose a patron saint.

Sources

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