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[[Image:John Chrysostom Russian.jpg|right|frame|Russian icon of St. John Chrysostom]]
Our father among the saints '''John Chrysostom''' (347-407), Archbishop of Constantinople, was a notable [[Christian]] [[bishop]] and preacher from the 4th and 5th centuries in Syria and [[Constantinople]]. He is famous for eloquence in public speaking and his denunciation of abuse of authority in the Church and in the Roman Empire of the time. He had notable [[ascetic]] sensibilities. After his death he was named '''Chrysostom''', which comes from the [[Greek language|Greek]] ''chrysostomos'', "golden mouthed". The Orthodox Church honors him as a [[saint]] (feastday, [[November 13]]) and count him among the Three Holy Hierarchs (feastday, [[January 30]]), together with Saints [[Basil the Great]] and [[Gregory the Theologian]]. He is also recognized by the [[Roman Catholic Church]], which considers him a saint and Doctor of the Church, and the [[Church of England]], both of whom commemorate him on [[September 13]]. His [[relics]] were stolen from Constantinople by Crusaders in 1204 and brought to Rome, but were returned on [[27 November]] 2004 by [[Pope John Paul II]].
He is sometimes referred to as "[[John of Antioch]]," but that name more properly refers to the bishop of Antioch in A.D. 429-441, who led a group of moderate Eastern bishops in the [[Nestorian]] controversy.
== Biography Life ==
He was born in [[Antioch]] of noble parents: his father was a high ranking military officer. His father died soon after his birth and so he was brought up by his [[Christianity|Christian]] mother. He was baptised in 370 and tonsured a reader (one of the [[minor orders]] of the Church). He began his education under a [[paganism|pagan]] teacher named [[Libanius]], but went on to study [[theology]] under [[Diodore]] of [[Tarsus in Cilicia|Tarsus]] (one of the leaders of the later Antiochian school) while practising extreme asceticism. He was not satisfied, however, and became a [[hermit]] (circa 375) and remained so until poor health forced a return to Antioch.
He was then ordained a [[deacon]] in 381 by St. [[Meletius of Antioch]], and was ordained a [[priest|presbyter]] in 386 by Bishop [[Flavian I of Antioch]]. It seems this was the happiest period of his life. Over about twelve years, he gained much popularity for the eloquence of his public speaking. Notable are his insightful expositions of [[Bible]] passages and moral teaching. The most valuable of his works are his ''Homilies'' on various books of the Bible. He particularly emphasized almsgiving. He was also most concerned with the spiritual and temporal needs of the poor. He spoke out against abuse of wealth and personal property. In many respects, the following he amassed was no surprise. His straightforward understanding of the Scriptures (in contrast to the Alexandrian tendency towards allegorical interpretation) meant that the themes of his talks were eminently social, explaining the Christian's conduct in life.
[[Image:John Chrysostom.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Modern Greek icon]]
One incident that happened during his service in Antioch perhaps illustrates the influence of his sermons best. Around the time he arrived in Antioch, the bishop had to intervene with the Emperor St. [[Theodosius I]] on behalf of citizens who had gone on a riotous rampage in which statues of the Emperor and his family were mutilated. During the weeks of [[Lent]] in 397, John preached twenty one sermons in which he entreated the people to see the error of their ways. These apparently had a lasting impression on the people: many pagans reportedly converted to Christianity as a result of them. In the event, Theodosius' vengeance was not as severe as it might have been, merely changing the legal standing of the city.
In 398 he was called (somewhat against his will) to be the [[bishop]] of [[Constantinople]]. He deplored the fact that Imperial court protocol would now assign to him access to privileges greater than the highest state officials. During his time as bishop he adamantly refused to host lavish entertainments. This meant he was popular with the common people, but unpopular with the wealthy and the clergy. In a sermon soon after his arrival he said "people praise the predecessor to disparage the successor". His reforms of the clergy were also unpopular with these groups. He told visiting regional preachers to return to the churches they were meant to be serving - without any pay out.
His time there was to be far less at ease than in Antioch. [[Theophilus of Alexandria|Theophilus]], the [[Pope of Alexandria]], wanted to bring Constantinople under his sway and opposed John's appointment to Constantinople. Being an opponent of [[Origen]]'s teachings, he accused John of being too partial to the teachings of that master. Theophilus had disciplined four [[Egypt|Egyptian]] [[monk|monks]] (known as "the Tall Brothers") over their support of Origen's teachings. They fled to and were welcomed by John. He made another enemy in [[Aelia Eudoxia]], the wife of the eastern Emperor [[Arcadius]], who assumed (perhaps with justification) that his denunciations of extravagance in feminine dress were aimed at herself.
St. John was either fearless when denouncing offences in high places. An alliance was soon formed against him by Eudoxia, Theophilus and others of his enemies. They held a [[synod]] in 403 to charge John, in which the accusation of Origenism was used against him. It resulted in his deposition and banishment. He was called back by Arcadius almost immediately, however, for the people of the city were very angry about his departure. There was also a "quaking" in the Imperial bedroom (thought to be either an actual earthquake or perhaps as a stillbirth/miscarriage for the empress) which was seen as a sign of [[God]]'s anger. Peace was shortlived. A silver statue of Eudoxia was erected near the [[cathedral]] of [[Hagia Sophia (Constantinople)|Hagia Sophia]]. John denounced the dedication ceremonies. He spoke against her in harsh terms: "Again [[Herodias]] rages; again she is confounded; again she demands the head of John on a charger" (an allusion to the events surrounding the death of [[John the Forerunner]]). Once again he was banished, this time to Cucusus in [[Armenia]].
== His importance ==
During a time when city clergy were subject to much criticism for their high life style, John was determined to reform his clergy at Constantinople. These efforts were met with resistance and limited success. He was particularlu noted as an excellent preacher. As a theologian, he has been and continues to be very important in [[Eastern Christianity]], but has been less important to [[Western Christianity]]. He generally rejected the contemporary trend for emphasis on allegory, instead speaking plainly and applying Bible passages and lessons to everyday life. In some ways, he represents a sort of synthesis between the hermeneutic methods of the more allegorical [[Alexandrian School]] and the more literal [[Antiochian School]].
== The ''Homilies against the Judaizers'' ==
Chrysostom wrote of the Jews and of Judaizers in eight homilies ''Adversus Judaeos'' (against the Judaizers) [http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/chrysostom-jews6.html]. These quotes are translations posted by Paul Halsall from the original Greek: other researchers give slightly different translations. At the time he delivered these sermons, Chrysostom was a tonsured reader, and had not yet been ordained a priest or bishop.
== Work on liturgy ==
[[Image:John Chrysostom enthroned.jpg|right|thumb|250px|St. John enthroned]]
Two of his writings deserve special mention. He harmonized the liturgical life of the Church by revising the prayers and rubrics of the [[Divine Liturgy]], or celebration of the Holy [[Eucharist]]. To this day, [[Orthodox Church]] typically celebrates the Divine Liturgy of John Chrysostom, together with [[Roman Catholic]] churches that are in the Eastern or Byzantine rites (i.e., [[Uniates]]). These same churches also read his [[Paschal Homily]] at every [[Pascha]], the greatest feast of the [[Church]] year.
== Modern influence ==
Whatever the original intent of Chrysostom, his writings have been circulated by many groups in an attempt to foster [[anti-Semitism]] or opposition to Christianity. One of the groups to do with was the Nazis during World War II, who used it to try to convince Christians in Germany and Austria that the Jews deserved to be exterminated.
