John was born at Antioch in Syria where he received the best education possible. The prospect of becoming an intellectual luminary in the secular world dramatically changed when John came into contact with Meletius, Bishop of Antioch, who baptized him in about 369. He now undertook a life of prayer, reading of Holy Scriptures and manual labour. In 374 he retreated into one of the caves of Antioch to become a hermit under St. Basil. As his health succumbed to indiscreet fasting and penance in cold and heat, John returned to Antioch where he was ordained priest in 386. For twelve years he taught Christian doctrine and preached homilies with such effect, force and eloquence that people nicknamed him “Chrysostom” which means “golden-mouthed.” Then in 398, he was forcefully carried off to Constantinople and consecrated Archbishop of that city. Life in the imperial capital was quite uncomfortable for the monk turned Bishop.
With great apostolic zeal Chrysostom began to reform the Church “sweeping the stairs from the top”, ie. from the Episcopal palace down to the lowliest huts. Bishops and priests who had bribed their way to ecclesiastical offices were deposed, code of conduct for women’s attire imposed, intrigues and politicking in public life condemned, sharing of wealth with the marginalized encouraged and marital fidelity stressed. Though his health was frail, his tongue was powerful and his sermons energetic and outspoken. This alienated the ruling class, which demanded his expulsion from Constantinople. A powerful sermon highlighting the vain luxury of women such as the lurid Jezebel and impious Herodias was misinterpreted and reported to Empress Eudoxia. A clique of courtiers, nobles and disgruntled Bishops with the empress Eudoxia at its head camoured for his blood. As a result, Emperor Arcadius banished Chrysostom to Armenia. The holy Bishop died in exile on September 14, 407. Four days later, the insidious empress too died. However, her repentant son brought back the body of Chrysostom in triumph to Constantinople and honourably entombed it in the Church of the Apostles. In 451 the Council of Chalcedon declared him a Doctor of the church.
Reflection: Chrysostom, like St. John the Baptist, played a prophetic role and preached the Word of God with utmost courage. This, on the one hand disturbed the comfortable while on the other hand comforted the disturbed. He had to pay a very heavy price for speaking out the truth. The ultimate measure of man is not where he stands in moments of comfort but where he stands in times of challenge
Therefore, Jesus also suffered outside the city gate in order to sanctify the people of his own blood. Hebr. 13: 12)
