| Saint John Chrysostom, our Patron Saint |
| Worship and Faith |
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John was born in Antioch about 347, the only son of an officer in the imperial army.
After a period of leading a life of prayer withdrawn from society he was ordained priest
in Antioch in 386 and began a special ministry of preaching.The quality of his
preaching was to earn him the nickname Chrysostom (Golden Mouthed).
In 398 John was unexpectedly appointed Archbishop of Constantinople. Upon arrival in
Constantinople he immediately began a programme of much needed reform. He
became a leading preacher and teacher of his generation. As Archbishop he was a
whole-hearted reformer, frequently outspoken and wanting in tact. He was
encouraged in his work by the deaconess Olympias.
His attempts to change the morals of the church, the city and of the court made him
many enemies, including the rather spiteful Empress Eudoxia. His enemies worked to
devise charges against him and he was condemned,without opportunity to respond, in
403 at the Synod of the Oak.
He was exiled, at first to Curusus in Armenia, but then, as he continued in his forthright
preaching he was sent into deeper exile. On route to Pontus he died from exhaustion
on September 14th 407 as a result of being forced to travel in appalling weather
conditions.
His last words were said to be 'Glory be to God for all things.'
His relics were brought back to Constantinople in about 438, and he was later declared
doctor (teacher) of the church.
After a period of leading a life of prayer withdrawn from society he was ordained priest
in Antioch in 386 and began a special ministry of preaching.The quality of his
preaching was to earn him the nickname Chrysostom (Golden Mouthed).
In 398 John was unexpectedly appointed Archbishop of Constantinople. Upon arrival in
Constantinople he immediately began a programme of much needed reform. He
became a leading preacher and teacher of his generation. As Archbishop he was a
whole-hearted reformer, frequently outspoken and wanting in tact. He was
encouraged in his work by the deaconess Olympias.
His attempts to change the morals of the church, the city and of the court made him
many enemies, including the rather spiteful Empress Eudoxia. His enemies worked to
devise charges against him and he was condemned,without opportunity to respond, in
403 at the Synod of the Oak.
He was exiled, at first to Curusus in Armenia, but then, as he continued in his forthright
preaching he was sent into deeper exile. On route to Pontus he died from exhaustion
on September 14th 407 as a result of being forced to travel in appalling weather
conditions.
His last words were said to be 'Glory be to God for all things.'
His relics were brought back to Constantinople in about 438, and he was later declared
doctor (teacher) of the church.
| From the stained glass window in Church depicting St John Chrysostom holding a model of the Church |
Olympias was born into the nobility of Constantinople about 366. At the age of
eighteen she married Nebridius, the prefect of Constantinople, but was widowed within
two years. She decided not to marry again, and this caused problems for she was
extremely wealthy. She was a vivacious young woman who was determined to fulfil
her calling despite outside pressures. In 391 she made over huge sums of money to
assist the social work of the church, and, at an unusually early age was made a
deaconess of the church. Olympias led a simple life in Constantinople and was noted
for her hospitality to all, especially Christian travellers visiting the city.
Shortly after his arrival in Constantinople she became friends with John Chrysostom
(who was approximately seventeen years her senior). The friendship was to guide and
strengthen her throughout her life. She provided daily food for Chrysostom and saw
to his laundry.
eighteen she married Nebridius, the prefect of Constantinople, but was widowed within
two years. She decided not to marry again, and this caused problems for she was
extremely wealthy. She was a vivacious young woman who was determined to fulfil
her calling despite outside pressures. In 391 she made over huge sums of money to
assist the social work of the church, and, at an unusually early age was made a
deaconess of the church. Olympias led a simple life in Constantinople and was noted
for her hospitality to all, especially Christian travellers visiting the city.
Shortly after his arrival in Constantinople she became friends with John Chrysostom
(who was approximately seventeen years her senior). The friendship was to guide and
strengthen her throughout her life. She provided daily food for Chrysostom and saw
to his laundry.
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When Chrysostom was exiled she strongly supported his cause in Constantinople and refused to recognize his successor. She
suffered persecution. She was exiled. Eventually low morale and depression set in. From his exile Chrysostom wrote regularly to
her and tried to encourage her from what he called her ‘stagnant pond of depression.’
She died in Nicomedia, aged approximately 42, a few months after Chrysostom in July 408. She is honoured as a saint by the
churches of the East (feast day 25th July) and by the churches of the West on 17th December. She is regarded by many
Christians as the patron saint of women in church ministry.
suffered persecution. She was exiled. Eventually low morale and depression set in. From his exile Chrysostom wrote regularly to
her and tried to encourage her from what he called her ‘stagnant pond of depression.’
She died in Nicomedia, aged approximately 42, a few months after Chrysostom in July 408. She is honoured as a saint by the
churches of the East (feast day 25th July) and by the churches of the West on 17th December. She is regarded by many
Christians as the patron saint of women in church ministry.
| For more information about St John Chrysostom please see our links page |
| St Olympias, friend and companion of St John Chrysostom |