Hello, and welcome to episode 76 of the Giants of the Faith podcast. This is the podcast where we look at the lives of Christians from history and examine the impact that they have had for the Kingdom of Christ. I'm your host, Robert Daniels, and in today's episode we're focused on one of the Church Fathers, John Chrysostom.
Chrysostom was born around the year 349 AD in Antioch, Syria (modern-day Turkey), and his birth name was John. The epithet "Chrysostom" means "golden-mouthed" in Greek and was given to him because of his eloquent preaching and oratory skills.
John came from a wealthy Christian family, and he received a classical education in rhetoric and philosophy. Despite his privileged upbringing, he was deeply influenced by the ascetic movement of his time, which emphasized a life of simplicity, austerity, and devotion to God. As a young man, he studied under the renowned Christian teacher Diodore of Tarsus, who introduced him to the teachings of the Church Fathers and encouraged him to pursue a life of piety and scholarship.
Let's take a brief aside and take a look at the life of Diodore. He was born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia (modern-day Turkey), around the middle of the 4th century. Diodore is sometimes referred to as Diodore the Elder to distinguish him from another theologian named Diodore, who was his grandson.
Diodore received his education in Antioch where he studied under the renowned Christian teacher Meletius. He later became a presbyter in Antioch and gained a reputation as a skilled interpreter of the Bible. Diodore's most significant contributions were in the field of biblical exegesis, particularly his emphasis on the literal interpretation of Scripture. He rejected allegorical interpretations favored by some other theologians of his time, arguing instead for a more historical and grammatical approach to understanding the Bible. This approach laid the groundwork for the development of the Antiochene School of biblical interpretation, which emphasized the importance of the literal sense of the text.
Despite his significant contributions to Christian theology, much of Diodore's work has been lost over the centuries. However, his ideas continued to shape the development of Christian theology, particularly in the Eastern Orthodox tradition, where his emphasis on the literal interpretation of Scripture remained influential. Though Diodore's own writings may be limited in availability today, his impact on the interpretation of Scripture and the development of Christian theology endures.
OK, back to Chrysostom. After completing his education, John became a monk and withdrew to a cave near Antioch, where he devoted himself to prayer, fasting, and study. Despite his desire for solitude, he was eventually ordained as a priest and gained a reputation for his powerful preaching and moral integrity.
One of the most famous series of sermons that Chrysostom delivered in Antioch is known as the "Homilies on the Statues." These sermons were preached during a period of civil unrest in Antioch, and Chrysostom used them to urge his congregation to seek peace, reconciliation, and justice. The "Homilies on the Statues" are notable for their passionate denunciations of corruption and oppression, as well as their calls for repentance and forgiveness.
Chrysostom's time in Antioch also saw the development of his theological ideas and his reputation as a biblical scholar. He was influenced by the teachings of the Antiochene School of biblical interpretation, which emphasized the importance of the literal sense of Scripture. Chrysostom's expository preaching, grounded in a deep understanding of the Bible, endeared him to his congregation and helped to establish his reputation as one of the greatest preachers of his time.
After serving in Antioch for 14 years, in 397 John was kidnapped by imperial decree and taken to Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire, by soldiers. There he was basically forced to become Archbishop of the city. During his time as Archbishop, and despite his initial protests and reluctance to accept the position, he gained widespread acclaim for his eloquent sermons, which were often critical of the excesses and corruption of the wealthy elite. He also advocated for social justice, caring for the poor, and reform within the Church.
He sought to lead by example, living a life of simplicity and austerity, and he encouraged his clergy to do the same. He also worked to improve the care of the poor and marginalized within the city, establishing programs to provide food, shelter, and medical care to those in need.
Chrysostom's preaching continued to be a central aspect of his ministry as Archbishop. His sermons, delivered in the Hagia Sophia, the grand cathedral of Constantinople, drew large crowds and had a profound impact on the city's residents. Chrysostom's preaching focused on a wide range of topics, including moral virtue, social justice, and theological doctrine. He was particularly known for his exegetical preaching, in which he expounded upon the meaning of Scripture in a clear and compelling manner in the tradition of his teacher, Diodore.
Despite his popularity among the common people, Chrysostom faced opposition from various quarters, including members of the imperial court and clergy who resented his attempts at reform. He clashed with powerful figures within the Church, including Theophilus, the Patriarch of Alexandria, and Empress Aelia Eudoxia, who viewed him as a threat to their authority. The Empress was the wife of Emperor Arcadius. Chrysostom had criticized the Empress and members of the imperial court directly in his sermons, condemning their extravagance and moral laxity. In retaliation, Eudoxia accused Chrysostom of treason and sought to have him removed from his position as Archbishop.
In a synod convened by his opponents, including Theophilus, the Patriarch of Alexandria, Chrysostom was deposed from his position as Archbishop and exiled from Constantinople. He was sent first to a remote location in Asia Minor and later to the desert region of Pityus, near the Black Sea coast.
Chrysostom's exile was marked by hardship and suffering. He endured harsh conditions, including exposure to the elements and lack of adequate food and shelter. Despite his physical trials, Chrysostom remained steadfast in his faith and continued to correspond with his supporters and write letters and treatises on various theological topics.
Chrysostom's exile also sparked outrage among his followers, both within Constantinople and throughout the Christian world. Many of his supporters viewed his deposition and exile as unjust and politically motivated. Riots broke out in Constantinople in protest against Chrysostom's treatment, and his supporters continued to advocate for his reinstatement.
Unfortunately, Chrysostom's exile proved to be permanent. He died in Pityus in 407 AD, at the age of around 60, due to the harsh conditions of his exile and his declining health. Despite his death in exile, Chrysostom's legacy endured, and he came to be revered as a saint by both the Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic Churches.
Chrysostom left behind a treasure of writings and more than 600 sermons as well as extensive commentaries. Many of his letters to churches and other leading figures of his day have survived. In addition, he wrote several hymns and contributed to the liturgy that the Eastern church uses to this day. Chrysostom's commitment to Biblical fidelity and a holy lifestyle, as well as his lasting contributions to Christianity make him a Giant of the Faith.
Thank you very much for listening. Until next time, God bless!
RESOURCES
Orthodox Christianity: https://orthochristian.com/43102.html
Got Questions: https://www.gotquestions.org/John-Chrysostom.html
Christian History Institute: https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/article/john-chrysostom-did-you-know