John Chrysostom 		January 27
Bishop of Constantinople
Teacher of the Faith
John Chrysostom was the patriarch of Constantinople in the late fourth century who became so renowned for his preaching that he was later named “the golden-mouthed” (Chrysostom).
He was born about 347 in Antioch, and grew up familiar with the sophistication of educated city life. He showed an interest in theology from an early age, and after his baptism was greatly attracted by the ascetic ideal, which had become very popular with many. The popular religious heroes were those who engaged in the rigorous discipline of the monastic life, striving for the ideal life through personal self-denial in the desert. John was attracted to this style, but also to serious biblical studies, for which Antioch was famous. He spent a year or two in the Syrian desert, but in 381 returned to Antioch and was ordained.
John soon became well-known as a preacher, and the stenographers would be on hand to take down his sermons for publication. Chrysostom’s primary interest was in rousing his hearers to purer discipleship and commitment, and he gave himself wholeheartedly to this task. “I cannot let a day pass without feeding you with the treasures of the Scriptures,” he told his hearers. His principal themes were moral ones and the need for Christian action. This he followed through in energetic work among the poor and destitute in Antioch.
It was little wonder that imperial aides engineered the election of the famous preacher from Antioch as patriarch of Constantinople in 398. They hoped in this way to stop the incessant ecclesiastical bickering in the imperial city. John gave himself unstintingly to his preaching and the organisation of social relief. In doing so, he gained enemies amongst the ecclesiastical court sycophants, whom he told to go home. Opposition grew, and John’s continuing ascetical style and castigation of the luxury of the upper classes increased the level of dissatisfaction. He also fell foul of church leaders who felt upstaged by his reforming zeal.
Finally, when the empress Eudoxia took personal umbrage at a sermon by John on Jezebel, Chrystostom’s enemies succeeded in having him banished to Cucusus in Lower Armenia. From there he continued a voluminous correspondence; so much so, that in 407 he was sent further into exile on the Black Sea coast. The strain of the journey on foot was too much for him and he died en route, his last words being, “Glory to God for everything.”
For Liturgical Use
Born in Antioch in 347, John earned his nick-name, “the golden-mouthed” (Chrysostom), for his brilliant preaching. He was much attracted to the ascetic tradition, which became popular in the fourth century, and preached vigorously on the need for a disciplined Christian lifestyle. He was made patriarch of Constantinople in 398 against his will. His crusading moral zeal gained him enemies in church and state, who succeeded in having him exiled to Armenia, where he died in 407.
Sentence
How sweet are your words to my taste; sweeter than honey in my mouth.	Psalm 119:103
Collects
Gracious God,
you gave to your servant John Chrysostom
eloquence of speech and courage to bear reproach for you;
give us clarity in our proclamation of the gospel
and steadfastness in time of trial;
for the sake of Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Living Word of God,
true word for John,
the preacher with the golden tongue,
in this world grant us knowledge of your truth,
and in the world to come to see your glory.
Psalms 	101 	119:49-56
Readings
Proverbs 25:11-15	 	A word fitly spoken
Colossians 4:2-6 	Let your speech be gracious
Luke 21:12-15		I will give you words and wisdom
Post Communion Sentence
Let the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. 		Psalm 19:14