09/13/2026
Saint John Chrysostom
Also known as:
• Greatest of the Greek Fathers
• Golden-Mouth
• Giovanni Crisostomo
Profile:
John's father died when he was young, and he was raised by a very pious mother. Well educated; studied rhetoric under Libanius, one of the most famous orators of his day. Monk. Preacher and priest for a dozen years in Syria. While there he developed a stomach ailment that troubled him the rest of his life.
It was for his sermons that John earned the title Chrysostom = golden mouthed. They were always on point, they explained the Scriptures with clarity, and they sometimes went on for hours. Made a reluctant bishop of Constantinople in 398, a move that involved him in imperial politics. He criticized the rich for not sharing their wealth, fought to reform the clergy, prevented the sale of ecclesiastical offices, called for fidelity in marriage, encouraged practices of justice and charity. Archbishop and Patriarch of Constantinople. Revised the Greek Liturgy. Because John's sermons advocated a change in their lives, some nobles and bishops worked to remove him from his diocese; he was twice exiled from his diocese. Banished to Pythius, he died on the road.
Greek Father of the Church. Proclaimed Doctor of the Church in 451.
Born
c.347 at Antioch, Asia Minor
Died
407 of natural causes
Name Meaning:
• God is gracious; gift of God (John)
• golden-mouthed (Chrysostom)
Patronage:
• epileptics; against epilepsy
• Constantinople; Istanbul, Turkey
• lecturers, preachers, speakers, orators (proclaimed on 8 July 1908 by Pope Pius X)
Representation:
• bees
• dove
• pen
Thank you United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
St. John Chrysostom, preacher of the “golden mouth,” pray for us!
