Chapter 8

St. John Chrysostom

THIS great teacher, on account of the fluency and sweetness of his eloquence, obtained the surname of Chrysostom, or Golden-Mouth, which we find given him by St. Ephrem, Cassiodorus, and others. But his tender piety, and his undaunted courage and zeal in the cause of virtue, are titles far more glorious, by which he holds an eminent place among the greatest pastors of the Church. He was born during the first half of the fourth century in the city of Antioch. His mother, Anthusa, left a widow at twenty years of age, continued such the remainder of her life, dividing her time between the care of her family and the exercises of devotion. From their cradle, she instilled into her children the most perfect maxims of piety, and contempt of the world. The better class of Romans, as well as the ancient Greeks, dreaded nothing more in the education of youth, than their being ill taught the first principles of the sciences. Therefore Anthusa provided her son the ablest masters in every branch of literature which the empire at that time afforded. The progress of the young scholar surprised the philosophers. Yet, all this time, his principal care was to study Christ, and to learn His Spirit. He laid a solid foundation of virtue, by a perfect humility, self-denial, and a complete victory over himself. Our saint, by circumstances ordered by the Lord, left the desert, where he abode for a number of years, and returned to the city. Bishop Flavian, foreseeing the Church’s good fortune and opportunity, ordained John to the priesthood, at the same time making him his vicar and preacher. The saintly ascetic had reached by this time his forty-third year. Now, as a champion of the truth, his fame spread throughout the empire. It seemed as if nothing could withstand the united power of his eloquence, zeal, and piety. St. Chrysostom had been five years deacon, and twelve years priest, when Nectarius, Bishop of Constantinople, dying in 397, the Emperor Arcadius, at the suggestion of Eutropius the eunuch, his chamberlain, resolved to procure the election of John to the patriarchate of the royal city. He therefore dispatched a secret order to the Viceroy of the East, enjoining him to send John to Constantinople, but by some stratagem, lest his intended removal, if known at Antioch, should be opposed to by his devoted flock. On being brought to Constantinople, although it was against his will, John was consecrated archbishop for the capital with the powers of a patriarch in that whole region. It might be expected that John, a holy man of God, had enemies who were on the alert to injure him, either personally, or by defaming his noble character. Among such was Theophilus, Patriarch of Alexandria, who strove against the elevation of John. On becoming the chief-pastor in this new charge, our saint turned his attention first toward the helpless and poor sufferers, for whom he founded hospitals and asylums. It was the body of clergy next which caused him much anxiety and watch in his endeavors to keep it at the height of its calling. Nothing escaped the eagle eye of this zealous teacher of Christianity. Knowing well the importance of the position held in society by the mothers, wives, and sisters of homes, he addressed the ladies and women of Constantinople who neglected to cover their necks, or used a foolish and unnatural fashion of dress, in this way: “Immoral persons hide their baits at home only for the wicked; but you,” said he, “carry your snares everywhere, and spread your nets publicly in all places. You allege that you never invited others to sin. You did not by your tongue, but you have done it by your dress and manners more effectually than you could by your voice. When you have made another sin in his heart, how can you be innocent? You sport yourselves in the ruin of the souls of others, and make their spiritual death your pastime.” As at Antioch St. John did, he likewise suppressed the wicked custom of swearing in Constantinople. His eloquence and zeal combined tamed the fiercest sinners, and changed them into meek lambs; he also converted a large number of idolaters and heretics. To the repentant he was a most tender father. On one occasion, his indignation was roused, we can fearlessly say, to a height which was divinely inspired.

The holy bishop appealed to the sinners “Are these things to be borne? Can they be tolerated?” The saint grieved the more, because, after all, they said they had done no harm, though they had murdered not only their own souls, but also those of their children. “And how will you,” said he, “after this, approach the holy place? How will you touch the heavenly food? Even now do I see you overwhelmed with grief, and covered with confusion.” St. John laid out to the poor all his revenues. His own patrimony he had given to the poor, long before, at Antioch. This great man’s labors and influence became felt in the remotest countries of the earth. He sent a bishop to instruct the nomads, or wandering Scythians, another to the Goths, and so on. He was himself endued with an eminent spirit of prayer; this he knew to be the great channel of heavenly blessings, the cleanser of the thoughts and affections of the soul from earthly dross, the means which renders men spiritual and heavenly, and makes them angels, even in their mortal body. In the mean time, the enemies of the holy Chrysostom were lying in wait for their victim. They succeeded in gaining the favor of the imperial court — especially those members of it who accused John for personal insult, because for such did their lame conscience take his expositions of the commandments of God. The good patriarch was banished. Twice was he compelled to leave Constantinople. Now, in his old age, when sickness and physical pains seized him, he was forced to travel on foot in the night-time. Being deprived of every necessary of life, he was greatly refreshed if he got a little clear water to drink, fresh bread to eat, or a bed to take a little rest upon. But all he lamented was the impenitence of his enemies— for their own sake. Finally, the soldiers reached as far as to Cucusus, and here they left him to the mercy of the simple villagers. This poor town in Armenia was not the home of the sufferer for any length of time. His letters from this place could reach the great cities; and, truly, they did thrill the souls of many thousands of the faithful. This great light of the Church, who enlightened the path of so many Christians, could not be endured by a few impious enemies. They resolved to rid the world of him. Two officers were dispatched to convey him to the distant shores of the Black Sea. They led the old bishop over very rough roads, under a scorching sun. When they arrived at Comana Pontica, he was very sick. Seeing him in a dying condition, they left him with the priest of that place. Now, in this place relics of the martyr St. Basilicus rested. This saint appeared to John at night, and said to him: “Be of good cheer, brother John; to-morrow we shall be together.” The good pastor was filled with joy at this news, and begged that he might stay there till the following day. He washed and prepared himself as if for a great feast. He received the holy sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, and shortly after gave up his pure soul with these words: Glory be to God for all things.