A direct, uncomfortable introduction to Chrysostom's preaching and social critique.
John Chrysostom
c. 349 – 407 · b. Antioch · Bishop of Constantinople
BishopTheologian
Quick facts
- Born
- c. 349, Antioch
- Died
- 407, Comana
- See
- Constantinople
- Region
- syria
- Era
- nicene
- Significance
- Major Father(3/4)
- Also known as
- John of Antioch · Chrysostomos
Highlights
- Main contribution
- John Chrysostom made preaching one of the great public arts of the early church.
- Best first read
- Homilies on the Gospel of Matthew
- Primary source
- Palladius, Dialogus de Vita Joannis Chrysostomi
Archbishop of Constantinople, called 'Golden-Mouth' for his preaching. Greatest preacher of the Greek Fathers; deposed and exiled at the Synod of the Oak (403).
Why John Chrysostom matters
John Chrysostom made preaching one of the great public arts of the early church. His sermons moved easily from close reading of scripture to attacks on luxury, exploitation, vanity, and imperial influence, which is part of why he was eventually deposed and exiled. He died on a forced march, but his homilies continued to shape Greek preaching, moral theology, and pastoral courage. Eastern churches still know his name every Sunday through the liturgy associated with him.
Recommended reading near John Chrysostom
A cover-visible starting point chosen from the curated reading path, either by this figure or by their era.
Chain to Jesus
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Common questions
- Who was John Chrysostom?
- John Chrysostom (349–407) — Archbishop of Constantinople, called 'Golden-Mouth' for his preaching. Greatest preacher of the Greek Fathers; deposed and exiled at the Synod of the Oak (403).
- Who taught John Chrysostom?
- Diodore of Tarsus.
- Who did John Chrysostom teach?
- John Cassian.
- Who did John Chrysostom correspond with?
- Pope Innocent I and Olympias the Deaconess.
- Who did John Chrysostom oppose?
- Epiphanius of Salamis.
- Who succeeded John Chrysostom as bishop of Constantinople?
- Nestorius.
Works
- Homilies on the Gospel of Matthewc. 390
Ninety homilies that became the standard patristic commentary on Matthew.
- On Wealth and Povertyc. 388
Seven sermons on Lazarus and the rich man — sharp social and economic preaching.
- On the Priesthood (De Sacerdotio)c. 386
Six-book dialogue on the duties + dangers of pastoral office; foundational Eastern + Western treatise.
- Homilies on Genesisc. 388
67 homilies; the model of Antiochene literal exegesis.
- Letters to Olympiasc. 405
17 letters from exile to the Constantinople deaconess; one of the few intimate epistolary collections from a Father.
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Sources for biography
- Palladius, Dialogus de Vita Joannis Chrysostomi primary
- Socrates Scholasticus, Hist. Eccl. 6 primary
- Sozomen, Hist. Eccl. 8 primary
documented connections(6)
- taught by (incoming) John CassianCassian was ordained deacon by Chrysostom and travelled to Rome to plead his cause.Cassian, De Incarnatione 7.31 · Palladius, Dialogus 3
- taught by Diodore of TarsusChrysostom was a pupil of Diodore at Antioch.Socrates Scholasticus, Hist. Eccl. 6.3 · Sozomen, Hist. Eccl. 8.2
- opposed Epiphanius of SalamisChrysostom and Epiphanius clashed over Origenism at Constantinople in 403.Socrates Scholasticus, Hist. Eccl. 6.10-14 · Sozomen, Hist. Eccl. 8.14-15
- knew of (incoming) Palladius of GalatiaPalladius wrote the Dialogus on Chrysostom's life.Palladius, Dialogus de Vita Joannis Chrysostomi
- corresponded Pope Innocent IChrysostom appealed to Innocent after his deposition.Palladius, Dialogus 2
- corresponded (incoming) Olympias the DeaconessSeventeen letters from Chrysostom to Olympias survive, written largely from his exile.John Chrysostom, Epistulae ad Olympiadem · Palladius, Dialogus de Vita Iohannis Chrysostomi 16-17
tradition connections(2)
- succeeded in see (incoming) NestoriusNestorius became Archbishop of Constantinople (428) some years after Chrysostom (d. 407), via intervening bishops Arsacius, Atticus, and Sisinnius — not a direct succession.Socrates Scholasticus, Hist. Eccl. 7.29
- cited (incoming) Mesrop MashtotsThe 5th-century Armenian translation school founded by Mesrop and Sahak rendered Chrysostom's homilies into Armenian; Koriun describes the translation programme.Koriun, Life of Mashtots 11-19 · Thomson, A Bibliography of Classical Armenian Literature to 1500 AD (Brepols 1995), s.v. John Chrysostom
External resources
📖WikipediaFull encyclopedic biography with footnotes and further reading.🔗WikidataStructured data hub linking to library catalogues, archives, and academic sources worldwide.🏛️WikisourcePublic-domain primary texts and translations (search).⛪Catholic Encyclopedia1913 reference — long entries, useful for less-known figures (search for John Chrysostom).