Yesterday (September 13) was the saint’s day of St John Chrysostom (c347-407AD), the only son of the commanding officer of the Roman imperial army. His mother was a devout Christian. John was the greatest of early Christian preachers, possibly the greatest preacher of all time. He was widely known from his Greek name which means ‘golden-mouthed’.
For that reason, and others, he became extremely popular with the general public. His motto was ‘Glory to God for all things!’ which he used to proclaim on every conceivable occasion.
Appointed Archbishop of Constantinople in 385AD where thousands would flock to fill the great churches to hear him preach, he was a man of strong principle and great courage but tact was somewhat lacking, so we are led to believe!
His attempts to reform the morals of the church, the city and the court made him many enemies. He was concerned, above all, for the spiritual and temporal welfare of the needy and the oppressed. He spoke out against the abuse of wealth and taught that what was superfluous to one’s reasonable needs ought to be given away (shades of John Wesley!)
The Empress Eudoxia became an enemy and, with others, engineered his exile to Armenia. Chrysostom continued to exclaim ‘Glory to God for all things !’ when friends came to visit him. He was exiled further afield to inhospitable regions where friends were not able to visit. His letters often ended with ‘Glory to God for all things !’
In winter, soldiers were taking him through rain and snow. Worn out, he begged to be taken into a small church to die. As he lay on the cold stone floor, his dying words were – ‘Glory to God for all things !’ (Psalm 29 vv1-2)
St John is more celebrated in the Eastern Orthodox church than in the West but he is not altogether forgotten in the Anglican church. Fittingly, he is the patron saint of preachers, speakers, orators, and lecturers.
One of his prayers is included in the 1662 Book of Common Prayer –
ALMIGHTY God, who hast given us grace at this time with one accord to make our common supplications unto thee; and dost promise, that when two or three are gathered together in thy Name thou wilt grant their requests; Fulfill now, O Lord, the desires and petitions of thy servants, as may be most expedient for them; granting us in this world knowledge of thy truth and, in the world to come, life everlasting. Amen.
Thank God for great Christians and great preachers like St John Chrysostom who, over the ages, have proclaimed and continue to proclaim the ‘whole counsel of God’ (Acts 27 v 27). We are still enriched and blessed by their thoughts, words and prayers.