St. John Chrysostom

Saint John Chrysostom

Bishop, Confessor & Doctor of the Church

John was born in Antioch around the year of Our Lord 347. Though he was raised in the faith, he studied under several pagan teachers, including the greatest orator of the time, Libanius. John worked as a lawyer for some time, but eventually he rejected worldly temptations entirely, and became a priest after spending several years as a hermit. John quickly gained a reputation for his eloquent and practical homilies, and in 398 he was made Archbishop of Constantinople, with his departure from Antioch arranged in secret because he was so popular there. In Constantinople John’s zealous preaching against the city’s excesses made him as popular as ever with the common people, but also brought him into conflict with the wealthy and powerful, including the Byzantine Empress. Twice John was banished, and he died in exile in the year 407. He was named a Doctor of the Church less than fifty years later. He is considered possibly the greatest preacher in Church history—hence the title “Chrysostom”, meaning “Golden-mouthed”—and his revision of the Byzantine Rite is the most common Eastern liturgy in use to this day.

Traditional Roman Martyrology for January 27th

AT Constantinople, St. John, bishop, who was surnamed Chrysostom, on account of his golden flow of eloquence. He greatly promoted the interests of the Christian religion by his preaching and exemplary life, and after many toils, closed his life in banishment. His sacred body was brought to Constantinople on this day, in the reign of Theodosius the younger; it was afterwards taken to Rome and placed in the basilica of the Prince of the Apostles. This illustrious preacher of the Word of God Pius X declared and appointed heavenly patron of sacred orators.

At Sora, St. Julian, martyr, who, being arrested in the persecution of Antoninus, was beheaded, because a pagan temple had fallen to the ground whilst he was tortured. Thus did he win the crown of martyrdom.

In Africa, St. Avitus, martyr.

In the same country, the holy martyrs, Datius, Reatrus, and their companions, who suffered in the persecution of the Vandals.

Also, the holy martyrs Dativus, Julian, Vincent, and twenty-seven others.

At Rome, St. Vitalian, pope.

At Le Mans, the demise of St. Julian, the first bishop of that city, who was sent thither by St. Peter to preach the Gospel.

In the monastery of Bobacum, St. Maur, abbot.

At Brixen, St. Angela Merici, virgin, foundress of the Order of the Nuns of St. Ursula, whose principal aim is to direct young girls in the ways of the Lord. By an indult of Pius VII her feast is celebrated on the 31st of May.

℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.

℟. Thanks be to God.