St John Chrysostom
347-407 ~ Born into a military family in Syria, he was the son of an imperial officer. John was brought up a Christian, but was not baptised until he was an adult. His father died when John was still a very young child and he remained at home with his mother until her death. After spending many years studying theology and rhetoric (the art of oratory and public speaking), he was baptised and journeyed into the desert to live in a cave for six years. During that time he became ill as a result of his strict disciplines and harsh conditions and because of this, he was forced to return home. When he recovered his strength, he started to preach to the local people in the surrounding area and soon acquired a name for himself as a talented speaker. He was a straight talker; speaking simply, so all would understand and this earned himself the nick-name “Chrysostom” which means “golden mouthed”.
John was made a deacon and ordained a priest at the age of thirty-nine. He went a little too far with his preaching, speaking out against the mis-use of money and power. He was appointed the Archbishop of Constantinople and on taking up the office, he immediately reformed and improved the Church, getting rid of all the luxuries and unnecessary ceremony. He condemned everybody; no-one was safe from his criticism, clergy as well as nobility. He naturally gained many enemies, but also many friends. Because of his out-spokenness, he was banished, but after an earthquake struck the area, it was thought that it was God’s revenge for John’s exile so the authorities pleaded with him to return. This lull did not last long, for on his return, he became livid when he saw scenes of idolatry in the cathedral. The Church authorities straight away sent him to Armenia and he set out on the journey on foot in appalling weather and as a result died of exposure and exhaustion on the way. He is honoured as the patron of orators.