John Chrysostom
c. 347 – 407 · Antioch — Constantinople
Archbishop, Father and Doctor of the Church
Awaiting theological review
In one sentence
The greatest preacher of the early Church — later called Chrysostom, golden-mouthed.
Why this person matters
His homilies apply Scripture to daily life with fire, especially on care for the poor.
A celebrated preacher in Antioch, he became archbishop of Constantinople in 398.
His calls for reform made enemies at court; he was deposed and died in exile in 407.
The most used Eastern liturgy carries his name; how much of it he composed is debated.
Key ideas
- You cannot honour Christ in church and neglect him in the poor
Why they still matter
Still the model preacher for East and West.
Before
- Basil the Greatc. 330 – 379
Contemporary
- Ambrose of Milanc. 339 – 397
- Gregory of Nazianzusc. 329 – 390
- Jeromec. 347 – 420
After
- Cyril of Alexandriac. 376 – 444
- Homilies on Matthew, John, Romans and other books
- On the Priesthood
- Historical context
- Tradition
Statements are labelled by source. Early Christian sources are named where known; dates before the 4th century are often approximate.