John Chrysostom
Church father, Archbishop of Constantinople and Christian saint (c. 347–407)
Feast: 13 September (current Roman calendar, memorial) · 27 January (1962 Missal, III class)
Who they were
John of Antioch was a born speaker; his teacher, the rhetorician Libanius, lamented 'if only the Christians had not stolen him!' He studied the Scriptures under Diodore, later bishop of Tarsus, with a special love for St Paul, and lived six years as a hermit in the desert, the last two in a cave. Ordained priest, he became famous for preaching the Scriptures to the people.
Made bishop of Constantinople, he made powerful enemies, led by Theophilus, Patriarch of Alexandria, and the empress Eudoxia. A synod held in his absence exiled him in 403; the people brought him back, but on 9 June 404 he was condemned again. Moved from place to place in exile, he died in 407 at Comana in Pontus.
The miracles
There was never a formal cause: John has been honoured as a saint since shortly after his death. He is a Doctor of the Church; 'Chrysostom', 'golden mouth', is the name later given him for his preaching.
Why that counted as sanctity
John used his gift of speech only for the Gospel, preached the truth to rich and powerful alike, and died in exile for it, convinced that God must be glorified in all things.
Connected on this site
- Diodorus of Tarsus Saint Teacher“Diodorus, of noble family, probably of Antioch, studied at Athens and became a monk and head of a monastery near Antioch, where St John Chrysostom was his disciple.” — this site's research
- Nicarete Saint Pupil“John Chrysostom.” — Wikipedia
- Nilus of Sinai Saint Pupil“365 – 12 November 430 or 451) was one of the many disciples and stalwart defenders of John Chrysostom.” — Wikipedia
- Proclus of Constantinople Saint Pupil
- Archbishop Atticus of Constantinople Saint“He is known for having been an opponent of John Chrysostom whom he helped depose, and having rebuilt the small church that was located on the site of the later Hagia Sophia.” — Wikipedia
- Archbishop Sisinnius I of Constantinople Saint“In the days of the patriarch was in recession the question of the attitude of the followers of John Chrysostom, which occurred when he was exiled.” — Wikipedia
- Arsacius of Tarsus Saint“Arsacius of Tarsus (Greek: Ἀρσάκιος; before 324 – 11 November 405) was the intruding archbishop of Constantinople from 404 to 405, after the violent expulsion of John Chrysostom.” — Wikipedia
- Athanasius of Alexandria Saint“Athanasius is venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches, Church of the East, the Anglican Communion, and Lutheranism and is traditionally honored as one of the four Great Greek Church Fathers along with Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of Nazianzus, and John Chrysostom.” — Wikipedia
- Basil of Caesarea Saint“The Eastern Orthodox Church and Eastern Catholic Churches have given him, together with Gregory of Nazianzus and John Chrysostom, the title of Great Hierarch.” — Wikipedia
- Cyril of Alexandria Saint“In 403 he went with his uncle to Constantinople for the Synod of the Oak that deposed John Chrysostom.” — this site's research
- Flavian I of Antioch Saint“Through the intervention of John Chrysostom soon after his elevation to the patriarchate of Constantinople in 398, and the influence of the emperor Theodosius I, Flavian I was acknowledged in 399 as the sole legitimate patriarch of Antioch.” — Wikipedia
- Gaudentius of Brescia Saint“A friend of St John Chrysostom, he died about 410.” — this site's research
11 more
- Geminianus Saint“Saint John Chrysostom later received the same hospitality.” — Wikipedia
- Gregory of Nazianzus Saint“In the Catholic Church he is numbered among the Doctors of the Church; in the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Eastern Catholic Churches he is revered as one of the Three Holy Hierarchs, along with Basil of Caesarea and John Chrysostom.” — Wikipedia
- Innocent I Saint“He defended the exiled John Chrysostom and consulted with the bishops of Africa concerning the Pelagian controversy, confirming the decisions of the African synods.” — Wikipedia
- Isidore of Pelusium Saint“His many letters fight against unworthy clergy, defend the memory of St John Chrysostom and oppose Nestorianism.” — this site's research
- Jacob of Serugh Saint“His works were so popular that of any author from late antiquity, only the writings of Augustine of Hippo and John Chrysostom survive in a greater number of manuscripts than Jacob's.” — Wikipedia
- Maruthas Saint“During his tenure as bishop he was a friend of Byzantine churchman John Chrysostom.” — Wikipedia
- Nectarius of Constantinople Saint“Nectarius of Constantinople (Greek: Νεκτάριος; died 27 September 397) was the archbishop of Constantinople from 381 until his death, the successor to Saint Gregory of Nazianzus and predecessor to John Chrysostom.” — Wikipedia
- Phocas, bishop of Sinope Saint“A homily in his honour was composed by Saint John Chrysostom on the occasion of the translation of his relics to Constantinople.” — Wikipedia
- Photios I of Constantinople Saint“Photios I is widely regarded as the most powerful and influential church leader of Constantinople subsequent to John Chrysostom's archbishopric around the turn of the fifth century.” — Wikipedia
- Pulcheria Saint“She used her position for the true faith against Nestorius and Eutyches, brought back the body of St John Chrysostom to Constantinople, and gave generously to churches.” — this site's research
- Theotimus of Tomis Saint“John Chrysostom.” — Wikipedia
- Vatican News - Saint of the day (Italian): John Chrysostom
- Wikidata Q43706 — dates, feast day and identifiers (CC0)
- English Wikipedia — John Chrysostom (CC BY-SA)
Checked against the sources listed on 21 September 2026. Corrections welcome.