Chrysostom on Christ at the door
“If you cannot find Christ in the beggar at the church door, you will not find him in the chalice.”
Plain English
Chrysostom is attacking a split between worship and mercy. Reverence for Christ in the Eucharist must show up as care for the poor.
Why it matters
It is one of the sharpest patristic links between liturgy and almsgiving.
About John Chrysostom
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.
- Lifespan
- c. 349 – 407
- Era
- Nicene
- Born in
- Antioch
- See
- Constantinople
- Region
- Syria
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