St. John Chrysostom

Feast Day: September 13

St. John Chrysostom is recognized as one of the greatest preachers in the history of the Church. In fact, Chrysostom means “golden-mouthed.”  

Born and raised in Antioch [now part of Turkey] in the 4th century, St. John received a classical Greek education. He first adopted the ascetic life, even spending time living in a cave. However, his life of extreme mortification left him in ill health, and he returned to the city to recover.

St. John was ordained in 386 and spent the next 12 years preaching in the Cathedral of Antioch, winning praise for his eloquence. In 397 or 398, he was appointed archbishop of Constantinople, a position he didn’t want. His preaching continued to draw large crowds, but his calls for reform of the clergy and his criticisms of the wealthy for exploiting the poor resulted in him making some powerful enemies. He was exiled to Armenia and died in 407.

St. John Chrysostom was later made a Father of the Church, and in 1568, he was declared a Doctor of the Church.