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Saint John Chrysostom
Archbishop of Constantinople
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Life and witness
John preached in Antioch before becoming archbishop of Constantinople. His ministry and conflicts led to exile, where he died in 407. The name Chrysostom means golden-mouthed; his many surviving homilies should be read with attention to their audience and historical setting.
Historical setting
John was raised in Antioch by his mother Anthusa and trained in rhetoric before devoting himself to Christian study and ascetic life. As a priest in Antioch he became known for sustained biblical preaching. His elevation to the see of Constantinople brought responsibilities at the imperial capital and conflicts over church discipline, wealth, and pastoral reform.
Legacy and remembrance
His homilies connect the reading of Scripture with daily conduct, particularly generosity and the treatment of the poor. On the Priesthood examines the demands of pastoral ministry. He died in exile in 407. November 13 is the selected commemoration here; January 27 remembers the translation of his relics, and January 30 honors the Three Holy Hierarchs.
More about the life
John’s years of intense asceticism were followed by a return to Antioch because of ill health. He was ordained deacon in 381 and priest in 386. His later responsibilities in Constantinople included directing church resources toward hospices for the sick and accommodation for pilgrims. Even after exile he maintained contact with others through letters of encouragement. The church biography places his death at Comana while he was being taken toward a further place of exile: he did not reach the destination ordered for him.
Quotes
A sourced selection, not a popularity ranking. Quote wording stays in the cited language; context notes are editorial.
Written work · English edition
When therefore thou art beginning to correct this, though thou shouldest transgress thy law a first, a second, a third, a twentieth time, do not despair, but rise up again, and resume the same diligence, and thou wilt surely prevail.
Homilies on the Gospel of Saint Matthew · Homily 17, section 6
Context and edition
The immediate context is correcting the habit of oaths. Application to other struggles is commentary, not a different quotation.
NPNF, First Series, volume 10 (1888), translated by George Prevost, revised by M. B. Riddle
Ancient work and historical English translation: public domain
Written work · English edition
For He came to set free from all evil deeds not the body only, but the soul too before the body.
Homilies on the Gospel of Saint Matthew · Homily 17, section 2
Context and edition
Commentary on Matthew 5:27-28, concerning deliberate lustful looking. Do not equate involuntary intrusive thoughts with consent to sin.
NPNF, First Series, volume 10 (1888), translated by George Prevost, revised by M. B. Riddle
Ancient work and historical English translation: public domain
Written work · English edition
For he who hath once kindled the flame, even when the woman whom he hath beheld is absent, is forming by himself continually images of shameful things, and from them often goes on even to the deed.
Homilies on the Gospel of Saint Matthew · Homily 17, section 2
Context and edition
This addresses intentionally cultivated lust, not a diagnosis or condemnation of unwanted intrusive thoughts.
NPNF, First Series, volume 10 (1888), translated by George Prevost, revised by M. B. Riddle
Ancient work and historical English translation: public domain
Written work · English edition
For not at all to this end did God make thee eyes, that thou shouldest thereby introduce adultery, but that, beholding His creatures, thou shouldest admire the Artificer.
Homilies on the Gospel of Saint Matthew · Homily 17, section 2
Context and edition
Artificer means Creator. The passage concerns the purposeful use of sight.
NPNF, First Series, volume 10 (1888), translated by George Prevost, revised by M. B. Riddle
Ancient work and historical English translation: public domain
Written work · English edition
For one fire is not quenched by another, but fire by water.
Homilies on the Gospel of Saint Matthew · Homily 18, section 1
Context and edition
Commentary on Matthew 5:38-40, resisting retaliation. This does not require remaining in danger or foregoing protection from abuse.
NPNF, First Series, volume 10 (1888), translated by George Prevost, revised by M. B. Riddle
Ancient work and historical English translation: public domain
Written work · English edition
For God will have us profitable not to ourselves alone, but to all our neighbors as well.
Homilies on the Gospel of Saint Matthew · Homily 18, section 2
Context and edition
This concerns generosity and the good of one’s neighbor.
NPNF, First Series, volume 10 (1888), translated by George Prevost, revised by M. B. Riddle
Ancient work and historical English translation: public domain
Written work · English edition
Trample not then on the fallen, but rather pity him.
Homilies on the Gospel of Saint Matthew · Homily 18, section 6
Context and edition
The immediate context is compassion toward an angry person. It does not excuse violence or remove the need for safe boundaries.
NPNF, First Series, volume 10 (1888), translated by George Prevost, revised by M. B. Riddle
Ancient work and historical English translation: public domain
Readings
Selected reading
John Chrysostom, On the Priesthood, Book 3, 4 (trans. W.R.W. Stephens, NPNF, First Series, vol. 9, 1889)
For the priestly office is indeed discharged on earth, but it ranks among heavenly ordinances; and very naturally so: for neither man, nor angel, nor archangel, nor any other created power, but the Paraclete Himself, instituted this vocation, and persuaded men while still abiding in the flesh to represent the ministry of angels.
English: cited historical translation. Modern Greek, Russian and Macedonian: LogosPharos translations through English, not direct translations from ancient Greek.
Editorial context
Chrysostom gives this as the reason the priesthood must be approached with fear: the work is earthly in place but heavenly in origin. In the same section he goes on to describe the offering of the Eucharist and the priest standing among the heavenly powers.
View source text
Source text and edition
For the priestly office is indeed discharged on earth, but it ranks among heavenly ordinances; and very naturally so: for neither man, nor angel, nor archangel, nor any other created power, but the Paraclete Himself, instituted this vocation, and persuaded men while still abiding in the flesh to represent the ministry of angels.
W.R.W. Stephens, NPNF, First Series, vol. 9, 1889, English translation of the original. Greek, Russian and Macedonian below are relay translations from this English edition, not the original.
https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/19223.htm
Words recorded in the sources
Each quotation is reproduced from the cited source without changing its wording; its translation basis is stated in its source panel.
He who sits on high with the Father is at that hour held in the hands of all, and gives Himself to those who are willing to embrace and grasp Him. And this all do through the eyes of faith!
John Chrysostom, On the Priesthood, Book 3, 4 (trans. W.R.W. Stephens, NPNF, First Series, vol. 9, 1889)
English: cited historical translation. Modern Greek, Russian and Macedonian: LogosPharos translations through English, not direct translations from ancient Greek.
View source text
Source text and edition
He who sits on high with the Father is at that hour held in the hands of all, and gives Himself to those who are willing to embrace and grasp Him. And this all do through the eyes of faith!
W.R.W. Stephens, NPNF, First Series, vol. 9, 1889, English translation of the original. Greek, Russian and Macedonian below are relay translations from this English edition, not the original.
https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/19223.htm
I know my own soul, how feeble and puny it is: I know the magnitude of this ministry, and the great difficulty of the work; for more stormy billows vex the soul of the priest than the gales which disturb the sea.
John Chrysostom, On the Priesthood, Book 3, 8 (trans. W.R.W. Stephens, NPNF, First Series, vol. 9, 1889)
English: cited historical translation. Modern Greek, Russian and Macedonian: LogosPharos translations through English, not direct translations from ancient Greek.
View source text
Source text and edition
I know my own soul, how feeble and puny it is: I know the magnitude of this ministry, and the great difficulty of the work; for more stormy billows vex the soul of the priest than the gales which disturb the sea.
W.R.W. Stephens, NPNF, First Series, vol. 9, 1889, English translation of the original. Greek, Russian and Macedonian below are relay translations from this English edition, not the original.
https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/19223.htm
Translations and context are AI-assisted and editorially reviewed, not independently certified by a scholar. Compare the displayed source text; short selections are not complete works.
Writings and works
Checked against Eastern Orthodox sources. Written works, recorded teaching, and works about the saint are distinguished.
On the Priesthood
Written work
Attribution source: Azbyka Vera Orthodox library
Homilies on Matthew
Written work
Attribution source: Azbyka Vera Orthodox library
Homilies on John
Written work
Attribution source: Azbyka Vera Orthodox library
Church life and commemoration
Work about the saint
Attribution source: Eastern Orthodox Church account
External sources may be in another language. Modern editions and translations can be copyrighted; full books are not copied here.
Miracles and testimony
These summaries distinguish Scripture, hagiographical accounts and later testimony. A source establishes that an event was reported, not independent proof of its supernatural cause. Miracles are attributed to God, not autonomous powers of saints. Reports of healing are not medical advice or a promise of recovery.
Hagiographical account
Life of Gregory the Theologian, Three Hierarchs tradition
The shared tradition of the Three Hierarchs recounts Basil, Gregory and John appearing to John of Euchaita. They declared their unity before God and asked that disputes over their relative greatness cease.
Read the sourceResearch and reading notes
These are original editorial biographies, not copied source translations. Scripture, historical writing, and hagiographical tradition are distinguished in the text. This page is a study introduction, not an exhaustive critical edition or a personal spiritual rule.
The saints listed here are commemorated by Eastern Orthodox churches. These summaries and translations are independent editorial work, not official Church publications or Church-approved translations.
Church sources
https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2026/11/13/103292-saint-john-chrysostom-archbishop-of-constantinople