St. John Chrysostom (344-407)

St. John, named Chrysostom (golden-mouthed) for his eloquent preaching, was born around 344 AD in Antioch. He studied rhetoric under the famous pagan orator, Libanius.

After living as an anchorite for 12 years, his poor health forced John to return to Antioch, where he was ordained a priest. In 398, John became bishop of Constantinople, which was roiled by ecclesiastical and imperial politics. He was a leading reform-minded, outspoken figure in the Church, and he made powerful enemies, including Theophilus, the patriarch of Alexandria, and the empress Eudoxia.

John was sent into exile after several accusations were brought against him in a pseudo-council. His enemies had him banished further to Pythius, at the extremities of the Roman Empire. John died on his way there on September 14, 407.

John is honored as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox, Catholic and Anglican churches. He is one of the 35 doctors of the Catholic Church. He is the patron saint of education, orators, preachers and speakers.