Tell me about the history of St. John Chrysostom.

By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-10

To understand St. John Chrysostom more deeply, we must look at his formation in Antioch, his rise to the Patriarchal throne of Constantinople, and his uncompromising stand for the Truth, which eventually led to his martyrdom through exile.

Early Life and Asceticism

He was born in Antioch around A.D. 347. Although his mother, Anthusa, was a pious woman, John was educated by the famous pagan orator Libanius. This gave him the high-level rhetorical skills that earned him his title. However, he turned away from worldly success to serve the Lord.

Before becoming a priest, he spent several years as a monk in the mountains. He lived so strictly—standing for long hours, barely sleeping, and eating very little—that he permanently damaged his health, which remained a struggle for the rest of his life.

The Priest of Antioch

In A.D. 386, he was ordained a priest. It was during this time that he gave some of his most famous sermons, including the "Homilies on the Statues." When the people of Antioch rioted and destroyed statues of the Emperor Theodosius, they feared the city would be destroyed in retaliation. St. John stayed with the people, comforting them and calling them to repentance.

The Patriarchate and Conflict with the Empire

In A.D. 397, he was forced (literally taken by escort) to become the Patriarch of Constantinople. He hated the luxury of the royal court. He famously attacked the vanity of the wealthy, stating that the silver or gold decorations on their beds and shoes belonged to the poor who were starving in the streets.

This brought him into direct conflict with Empress Eudoxia. She perceived his sermons as personal attacks (especially when he spoke against the vanity of women's dress). The relationship became so toxic that she eventually conspired with his enemies to have him removed.

The Synod of the Oak and Pope Theophilus

For a Coptic teacher, it is vital to know that our own Pope Theophilus of Alexandria (the 23rd Patriarch) played a major role in the deposition of St. John. The conflict was sparked by several factors:

1. The "Tall Brothers": Four Egyptian monks who fled to Constantinople after a dispute with Pope Theophilus over Origenism. St. John received them, which Pope Theophilus viewed as interference in the jurisdiction of Alexandria.
2. Jurisdictional Rivalry: The See of Constantinople was rising in political power, often attempting to overshadow the ancient See of Alexandria.

In A.D. 403, Pope Theophilus presided over the Synod of the Oak (named after the estate where it was held). The synod charged John with various offenses—mostly administrative and personal—and he was deposed and exiled.

Exile and Death

The people of Constantinople loved St. John so much that they rioted when he was taken. He was briefly brought back, but soon after, the Empress had him exiled again to the furthest borders of the Empire, near the Black Sea.

His journey was brutal. His guards forced him to walk in the pouring rain and scorching sun despite his frail health. He died on the road in A.D. 407. His final words were: "Glory be to God for all things!".

His Stance on Heretics and Jews

St. John was a man of the "Truth." He did not believe in being politically correct. He was very straightforward in his warnings to the faithful:

• On Heretics: He fought vigorously against the Arians, who denied the divinity of. He organized night-time processions with hymns and silver crosses to keep the people away from Arian gatherings.
• On Judaism: St. John was extremely stern regarding the Jews of Antioch. In his homilies (such as Adversus Judaeos), he described Judaism as a "satanism" against Christianity. He warned Christians not to participate in Jewish festivals or fasts, stating that the synagogue was a dwelling of demons and that the Jews had "snatched themselves from the devil's jaws" only to return. He viewed the rejection of Christ by the Jews as a total spiritual catastrophe and was adamant that Christianity has everything to do against Judaism, not with it.

His Legacy

The Church eventually reconciled after his death. Pope Cyril the Pillar of Faith (the successor of Theophilus) eventually added St. John’s name to the Diptychs (the list of saints mentioned in the Liturgy), recognizing his holiness and his great contributions to the Church's understanding of the Holy Scriptures.

In our Liturgy today, we remember him as a pillar of the Church whose words continue to nourish the Church around the world.