St. John Chrysostom (349-14 September 407)
was born in Antioch
to pagan parents. His father, a soldier
died while John was of an early age, and John was raised by his mother. He became a Christian, was baptised and
became a reader in the church. At first
due to his mother’s influence he studied under pagans and developed a gift for
rhetoric. As he grew older he studied
under Christians and later became a hermit, during which time he spend
memorising the Bible. Too much fasting
permanently damaged his kidneys and he had to return to Constantinople. Ordained a deacon in 381 and a presbyter in
386 he became well known because of his preaching. In preaching and writing he emphasised the
spiritual and physical needs of the poor.
His talks were very practical, leading people to a straightforward
understanding of the Bible and of Christian duty in everyday life. While in Antioch, he preached 21 sermons leading to
whole sale conversion to Christianity by pagans.
In 398 he became Archbishop of
Constantinople. It is said that his sermons were so powerful, that people were
so enthralled by them that pickpockets had easy targets, and it was suggested
that people leave their purses at home. He was regarded as one of the greatest
preachers of the ancient and eastern church.
His sermons were eminently practical.
He would tell people that before taking communion, they should consider
the needs of the people around therm. Refusing to have banquets for the rich he made
himself unpopular with the upper classes.
He also forced priests to go back to where they were supposed to
be. Either through fearlessness, or
fault of tact, John found himself with enemies in high places, or the Empress
Eudoxia became his enemy and organised a conspiracy against him. A synod was held against him in 403 and he
was deposed and to be banished. At his
arrest there was an earthquake and the people were rioting so the emperor
called him back to his post He was
banished once again to Armenia for criticising the
empress. During this time he
wrote several letters of great influence in Constantinople and was exiled to Georgia. He never made it to his final destination,
and was buried in Georgia,
where his tomb became a site of pilgrimage.
Considered to be the greatest preacher of
the early church (Chrysostom means golden mouthed) he preached extensively from
the whole Bible, and many of the congregants copied his sermons and passed them
around. He criticised his audience for
being too worldly, especially in pagan entertainments, but at the same time
formed his sermons so they would be clear to all, especially emphasising care
of the needy. He also revised the liturgy
and has some connection with the liturgy of St. John Chrysostom.
John describes
the liturgy as a glorious experience in which all heaven and earth
participate. His sermons emphasise the importance of lay participation in the
Eucharist. He asked, “Why do you marvel,
that eh people anywhere utter anything with the priest at the altar, when in
fact they join with the Cherubim themselves, and the heavenly powers in
offering up sacred hymns. The main
liturgy used by the Eastern Orthodox Church today is known as the Liturgy of
St. John Chrysostom for his influence on it.
His treatise, Six Books on the Priesthood, is an
excellent manual on the demands of the presbyteral office and its demands. Most of his sermons are still extant as they
were copied down as he was preaching. We
learn from John, that preaching is important, and that Christianity, is not
something for Sunday, but something we should live out everyday, and not to
worry about the authorities.
Heavenly Father, as you raised John
Chrysostom to preach the Gospel and suffer for the faith. Grant that all preachers would have the
eloquence to proclaim your word so as to build us up in faith and knowledge and
love of you. Through the Messiah we
pray, Amen. (red)
Jeremaih 42:1-6
Psalm 49:1-8
I Corinthians 12:31-13:7
Luke 21:12-15
No comments:
Post a Comment