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Quote in context

Chrysostom's last words in exile

John Chrysostom · Final words, in exile, 14 September 407

Glory to God for all things.

John Chrysostom

Plain English

Chrysostom dies after imperial exile and brutal travel. The tradition remembers his final words as praise rather than bitterness.

Why it matters

The phrase became a model of doxology under pressure, especially in Eastern Christian memory.

Who said it

John Chrysostom

John Chrysostom

c. 349 – 407 · Born in Antioch · Syria

Chrysostom means 'golden-mouth.' He was the greatest preacher in the early church and one of the few who used that gift to attack power directly — luxury, the rich oppressing the poor, the imperial court — until they exiled him for it. He died on a forced march. His sermons on Matthew and his homilies on wealth and poverty are still the place to start if you want patristic preaching that lands like it was written this morning. Eastern Orthodoxy still uses his liturgy every Sunday.

Read more about John Chrysostom
Cover of On Wealth and Poverty by John Chrysostom
Daily reading

Book of the day

On Wealth and Poverty

John Chrysostom

A reading pick tied to today's figure, quote, era, or event. A direct, uncomfortable introduction to Chrysostom's preaching and social critique.

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Today: Chrysostom's last words in exile — Patristic Lineage