What is customary to do on the feast of St. John Chrysostom
The first thing you should do on November 26 is go to church for the morning service. They pray to John Chrysostom for a trial of bribe-takers and swindlers - so that they will be punished accordingly and truth will triumph.
On this day, people ask the saint for help in studying, healing from speech defects, getting rid of worries, as well as well-being in marriage.
What you can and cannot do on St. John Chrysostom November 26 / photo ua.depositphotos.com
The people believed that from John all nature froze, prepared for winter and fell into sleep. Therefore, to this day, it was mandatory to complete all agricultural work in the field and on personal farms.
One of the most interesting traditions of the holiday is making dumplings and dumplings from the new harvest flour. It is believed that on November 26 the frost is already quite established, which means the dough does not stick together. Therefore, housewives sat down to sculpt dumplings and dumplings, making a large supply for the winter. They were stuffed with minced meat, mushrooms or potatoes. Having prepared the dishes, it was possible to arrange a festive feast and invite relatives and neighbors.
Who is John Chrysostom?
John Chrysostom is the Archbishop of Constantinople, theologian, one of the three Ecumenical saints and teachers, along with Saints Basil the Great and Gregory the Theologian.
He was born around 347 into the family of an official. In his youth, he turned to in-depth study of the Holy Scriptures and prayerful contemplation, writes calend.ru. After the death of his parents, he accepted monasticism. He was soon considered a worthy candidate to occupy the episcopal see.
During his life he created several theological works. In 386 he was given the responsibility of preaching the Word of God. In 397 John became archbishop. The saint gave the money that was intended for him as an archbishop to hospitals and hotels for pilgrims. He also composed the order of the liturgy, introduced antiphonal singing during the all-night vigil, and wrote several prayers.
John found himself embroiled in a conflict with Empress Eudoxia, wife of Emperor Arcadius. She ordered the confiscation of property from the widow and children of the disgraced nobleman, and John came to their defense. It is known that the empress harbored anger at the archpastor. Later it was reported to her that John had her in mind in his teaching about vain women.
The court sentenced John to death and for insulting the empress, Emperor Arkady replaced the execution with exile. That same night, the empress suffered a miscarriage, and an earthquake struck Constantinople. Frightened Eudoxia asked to urgently return John. But a few months later, a new denunciation led to another expulsion of John.
Two years after this, John fell ill and became bedridden. However, his enemies did not let up: at that time he received an order to be transferred to remote Pithiunt. Exhausted by disease, Chrysostom, accompanied by a convoy, made his last journey for three months in the rain and heat. The guards mocked him cruelly. He died in Comana in 407.
John was buried on the territory of modern Abkhazia. In 438 the relics of the saint were transferred to Constantinople. According to legend, during this event the people exclaimed: “Accept your throne, father!”, and the saint, lying in the tomb, exclaimed: “Peace to all!”
Eyewitnesses claim that it was enough to touch the cover of the coffin, where the holy relics rested, and the person would get rid of illnesses, writes www. e-reading.club.
Signs for John Chrysostom November 26
Most of the signs concerned changes in the weather and the year's harvest:
- they waited for bad weather if they noticed that the coals in the stove were smoldering brightly and for a long time;
- if the crows cawed very loudly and gathered in the trees, they were preparing for warm days;
- daytime snowfall predicted nighttime frost;
- if the hares left the forest and ran away, it means cold weather is just around the corner;
- they waited for frosts when they noted the clear outlines of the Milky Way in the night sky;
- the bright shine of the stars in the sky predicted the coming of snowfalls and cold days;
- if the noise of the forest was noted, then this was a sure sign of changes in the weather;
- frost on all branches on St. John Chrysostom foreshadowed an excellent harvest next year;
- if any precipitation fell on John Chrysostom, this foreshadowed a good harvest;
- large flakes of snow falling on the feast of St. John Chrysostom predicted frost.
Signs helped to navigate the weather and predicted what the harvest might be like next year.
Saint John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople
Kontakion 1.
Chosen to the leader of the Church of Christ, blessed to the teacher John! Having been adorned with virtues from your youth, you have labored well, and having endured persecution for the name of Christ, you passed away in exile: for this reason you are glorified in heaven, the wise one. rite of the Church organizer. In the same way, we tenderly honor you, calling:
Rejoice, great saint John Chrysostom.
Ikos 1.
Wearing an angelic image, you lived in the flesh as if you were bodiless, John; For the salvation of the brethren, having endured much labor, you glorified the Heavenly Father with good deeds. Also with the verb:
Rejoice, decoration of the Orthodox Church; Rejoice, blessed children of eminent parents.
Rejoice, you were filled with love for the word of God by your mother in childhood; Rejoice, having subdued your mind to the yoke of Christ from your youth.
Rejoice, thou who diligently served God; Rejoice, universe teacher.
Rejoice, Christian of all times, mentor in prayers; Rejoice, renovator of the monastic life in Constantinople.
Rejoice, enlightener of the Goths and Scythians; Rejoice, God-fortified zealot of righteousness.
Rejoice, thou who has entered into the joy of thy Lord; Rejoice, O zealous representative for us.
Rejoice, great saint John Chrysostom.
Kontakion 2.
Seeing Christ of your parents Secundus and Anthusa’s pure life, I was pleased to glorify you, and you, John, was given the gift of consolation; Yes, the faithful, remembering your virtues, extol the righteous couple who grew you, and they jealously sing to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 2.
With a mind wise by teaching, and a heart trained in piety from youth, you, John, your mother, had joy and consolation when you lost your husband and daughter. Moreover, we bring you the greatest praise:
Rejoice, star of good behavior as a youth; Rejoice, guardian angel joy.
Rejoice, for you have saddened him no more; Rejoice, beloved relatives.
Rejoice, thou who excelled in learning and thereby astonished the wise men of this world; Rejoice, for, still a disciple, Anthymia put the blasphemer to shame and brought him to his senses.
Rejoice, you who have seen the bitter tears of the oppressed in judgment; Rejoice, you who have turned aside from those who do lawlessness.
Rejoice, thou who seekest the path of salvation's kindness; Rejoice, after your mother’s dormition, you were imprisoned in the desert.
Rejoice, you who prayed fervently for your parents who passed away from God; Rejoice, for today you, with the Lady and the saints, rejoice, from the earthly ones they are magnified and boasted.
Rejoice, great saint John Chrysostom.
Kontakion 3.
You, John, like your namesake Forerunner, acquired the strength to work in word and deed for Christ in the desert. There, having slain the passions of the flesh by fasting, you filled your spirit with prayer and, like a warrior, against the prince of the power of the air you clothed yourself with all the armor of God, singing with confidence To the mighty God: Alleluia.
Ikos 3.
Having a hair shirt and a belt around your loins, the zealous Baptist of Christ, you fed on the food, John, in the desert, from the weak, like a man full of strength, you came out. Moreover, we cry out to you:
Rejoice, having become like Elijah the Prophet through abstinence; Rejoice, imitator of Christ's poverty.
Rejoice, you who strengthened the weakness of the body through chastity; Rejoice, having driven away despondency through thoughts of God.
Rejoice, keeping your heart immaculately in remembrance of the omniscience of God; Rejoice, having been put to shame by your vigil of the wiles of the demons.
Rejoice, thou who hast conquered temptations and taught others to do the same; Rejoice, thou who art strengthenest the wise in making those who struggle spiritual.
Rejoice, you have kept your friend Theodore from falling into sin; Rejoice, you have strengthened your friend Bishop Vasily in his ministry.
Rejoice, refuge of the quiet guide to those driven out from the world; Rejoice, protector of monastic life.
Rejoice, great saint John Chrysostom.
Kontakion 4.
You overcame the new storm of temptations, John, and you alone dwelt in the cave; For the sake of illness, you came from the desert to Antioch, you were made a deacon by Saint Meletius, and you zealously devoted yourself to the care of the poor. Even seeing, Vernia joyfully bows to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 4.
Having heard speeches of praise about you from the faithful, Saint Flavian, according to his heritage, sent down the grace of the priesthood to you, John. Moreover, the people of Antioch rejoice and honor your labors more righteously, so they magnify you:
Rejoice, you have rejected all care for yourself; Rejoice, protection of the poor.
Rejoice, warm refuge for the orphans; Rejoice, mourn the quencher.
Rejoice, sad one over human ignorance; Rejoice, sweet-voiced lover of virgin life.
Rejoice, you who enlightened many Jews; Rejoice, you who proclaimed the right teachings sought salvation.
Rejoice, thou who by thy life have not put this teaching to shame; Rejoice, lamp of piety.
Rejoice, fellow apostle; Rejoice, for righteously the lot of pastoral care for souls has been given to you.
Rejoice, great saint John Chrysostom.
Kontakion 5.
Keeping the redeemed with the rich blood from eternal death, when you received the rank of priesthood, John, you did the work of an evangelist sober for good, rebuking, forbidding, pleading With all longsuffering and teaching, I sing to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 5.
Seeing the disorder in the city, and grieving over this, you knew no peace, John, for you announced the gospel to the unfaithful, but sanctified the faithful sacraments of the church and taught the mysteries of the faith , you have worthily acquired the name of the Golden Mouth, having heard from everyone:
Rejoice, good shepherd; Rejoice, you who have given birth to many children of the Church of Christ through holy baptism.
Rejoice, by the anointing of peace the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit is given; Rejoice, touching primate of the most holy meal.
Rejoice, you who feed your children with the food of incorruption; Rejoice, purifier of hearts through repentance.
Rejoice, matchmaker of marriages in the Lord; Rejoice, anointing the healer.
Rejoice, you who are not a false interpreter of the words of God; Rejoice, powerful accuser of heresies.
Rejoice, deep well of true theology; Rejoice, for you have attracted the hearts of the flock, filled with love for you.
Rejoice, great saint John Chrysostom.
Kontakion 6.
The preacher of repentance especially appeared to you, John, when the people of Antioch, the likeness of the king, had overthrown, the wrath of which was worthy of the fallen. Comforting with God's mercy, you drew everyone to the correction of life with your words, and sing to God with a pure heart: Alleluia.
Ikos 6.
Antioch rises with joy, when, according to your words, having mourned your own iniquity, you receive royal forgiveness. Otherwise, sorrow will soon darken me and I will be separated from you: you were called to the archbishopship of Constantinople, John. The same we cry to you:
Rejoice, like Isaiah, you who suffered through the sorrows of your father’s city; Rejoice, like Jeremiah, weeping over human evil.
Rejoice, like Ezekiel, calling the lawless to conversion; Rejoice, lightning, who has cast down pride.
Rejoice, O Thou of Thou who lived lawlessly and fearfully; Rejoice, accuser of greed.
Rejoice, you who show the destruction of vanity; Rejoice, shamer of the ancient Greek polytheism.
Rejoice, pacifier of troubled hearts; Rejoice, hastening to Bishop Flavian, the righteous elder.
Rejoice, from the desert dwellers, the king’s officers who bow to mercy; Rejoice, equal to Jonah, who saved Nineveh.
Rejoice, great saint John Chrysostom.
Kontakion 7.
Although the church of Constantinople, like the bride of Christ, deserves to be decorated, you brought it all into splendor, John. With all-night vigils, you averted the faithful from the gatherings of the Arian faithful, and you wisely arranged the rite of the Divine Liturgy, like a fragrant myrrh, pouring out prayers for you, who are edified by them. We sing to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 7.
A new sign of God’s mercy came about you, saint: through your prayers the faithful of all times, speaking to God, are made wise for salvation. Take therefore from us the chintz praises:
Rejoice, like David, who enriched the Church of God with words of prayer; Rejoice, like the brother of God Jacob, who wrote the rite of the Divine Liturgy.
Rejoice, also imitating the Great Basil; Rejoice, friend of the Holy Spirit.
Rejoice, for through you the Holy Spirit wrote the words of salvation; Rejoice, for through your prayers, having risen from sleep, we give thanks to the Father.
Rejoice, for through your words, for the coming sleep, from the Holy Spirit we ask for forgiveness of sins; Rejoice, for through your lips we implore the Son of God, so that we may not receive the communion of the Divine Mysteries in court.
Rejoice, servant of God, humble herald at Christ’s supper; Rejoice, preacher of Him crucified on the cross for the worldly life and salvation.
Rejoice, for in your word you have been clothed with the mysteries of faith like garments of gold; Rejoice, creator of songs and wondrous victor.
Rejoice, great saint John Chrysostom.
Kontakion 8.
A wanderer in the vale of the earth, you showed the image of humility, abstinence and purity, John, by your life in the reigning city: there you renewed the monastic monasteries and created rules and regulations You gave the life of a monk to the immaculate virgins; From them, like fragrant incense, the great song of God ascended: Alleluia.
Ikos 8.
Working with all the soul of Christ, you did not want to please man, John. You ceased to hold suppers for the eminent, you multiplied the meals for the poor, you created hosts of strangers and free clinics for the sick, you taught you to sing:
Rejoice, Nicholas, Saint of Myra, competitor; Rejoice, you who have acquired high humility.
Rejoice, thou who through poverty have gained riches; Rejoice, by these virtues the monk became an image.
Rejoice, smooth feeder; Rejoice, like Abraham, who has received strangers.
Rejoice, friend of homeless orphans; Rejoice, trustee of helpless elders and elders.
Rejoice, you who squander your excesses on the poor; Rejoice, for you appeared to everyone in their sorrows like a comforting angel.
Rejoice, you who open the hands of the rich for good deeds; Rejoice, for the Mother of God rejoiced at the depth of your mercy.
Rejoice, great saint John Chrysostom.
Kontakion 9.
To save every language, preachers of the Gospel to the Scythians, our forefather, you sent to John from the city of Constantine, in which you created a temple in the name of the Apostle Paul Yes, and even then, having rejected the Aryan heresy, the Orthodox lips sing to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 9.
Having sent the spirit of Orthodoxy to the infidels, to the churches of the faithful existing in Asia, you yourself moved, John, and you, visiting, reproaching the careless, praising the zealous, all look You arranged it better. Moreover, we praise you:
Rejoice, shining light of Orthodoxy; Rejoice, good shepherd, take care of the lost sheep.
Rejoice, for in the Scythian land today your name is glorified; Rejoice, for in your name the churches of God are erected here.
Rejoice, partaker of the ministry of the apostles; Rejoice, according to the words of the Apostle Peter, shepherd the flock of God.
Rejoice, you visited this not by need, but by will and according to God; Rejoice, steadfast exterminator of bribes.
Rejoice, impartial guardian of the rules of the church; Rejoice, you who righteously drove out the lazy slaves.
Rejoice, for those who have worked for good have been praised and strengthened by you; Rejoice, proven ruler of the Church.
Rejoice, great saint John Chrysostom.
Kontakion 10.
You did not stop serving the salvation of your flock, John, when you returned from Asia to Constantinople. When you fearlessly began to denounce the evil behavior of the queens and eminent people, you suffered many tribulations; Because of your reproach, your righteous mouth cannot be stopped by your righteous mouth, who secretly did the deeds to destroy you, crying out to the pure God: Alleluia.
Ikos 10.
Wall, as an innocently persecuted monk, you appeared to John: for this reason the evil of the great man, who had attacked you, was revealed. The flattering Theophilus and the queen wickedly slandered you at the assembly and deposed you, without remembering your labors for the good of the fatherland. We remember this with gratitude, saying:
Rejoice, you who showed wondrous love for the earthly fatherland; Rejoice, Tsaryagrad liberator from the barbarian invasion.
Rejoice, Gain, formidable Gothic leader, tamer; Rejoice, protector of the ancient mercies granted to the Church by the kings.
Rejoice, you who did not allow Eutropius to take away the church’s refuge from the rulers; Rejoice, in this place of refuge you saved Eutropius when he was persecuted.
Rejoice, for the sake of the Nitrian monks, you have endured the unrighteousness of the lawless congregation; Rejoice, for the word of Scripture, “love is patient,” has been justified in you.
Rejoice, you who forbade those who come to fight for you; Rejoice, you who did not lift up the sword against your enemies.
Rejoice, you who obeyed the authorities and for this reason surrendered yourself into the hands of soldiers at night; Rejoice, you who were expelled from the fatherland for the sake of righteousness.
Rejoice, great saint John Chrysostom.
Kontakion 11.
The weeping of your flock will soon change with joyful singing, O good sufferer: for the exile of the tempting one, suddenly the thunder roared, the lightning flashed, and the earth shook with the rustling wind. Even seeing and trembling, the queen repented and returned to you more honestly, humbly crying to God: Alleluia.
Ikos 11.
I shine the light of Orthodoxy, the purely queen hated you soon, when you denounced you, who placed your likeness near the temple: for this reason, secondly condemned, in Kukuza , far and wide, you were imprisoned, John. Take therefore from us the chintz praises:
Rejoice, according to the words of Jeremiah, from his youth he was lifted up by the yoke of God; Rejoice, according to the word of Christ, having laid the hand of work on the spiritual side.
Rejoice, you have not turned back to the end; Rejoice, thou who thundered against the evil queen.
Rejoice, you who were hated like the Baptist by Herodias; Rejoice, you invisibly saved from murderers by an angel.
Rejoice, guarded in your house by the love of your flock; Rejoice, humbled by the slander of unrighteous judges.
Rejoice, you who walked meekly into imprisonment with humility; Rejoice, mourned by the faithful.
Rejoice, thou who was crucified for the Lord, wounded and bruised; Rejoice, as a martyr with the Forerunner in heaven, I rejoice in your patience.
Rejoice, great saint John Chrysostom.
Kontakion 12.
You observed the grace of God even in exile, John, and like Saint Paul in chains, you proclaimed the Gospel to the Phoenicians and Persians, sending comforting messages to the faithful. And so the Church fell, even to the day, when your golden mouth uttered the last words: Glory to God for everything! Your soul was carried to heaven by the holy angels crying in victory: Alleluia.
Ikos 12.
Singing joyfully, the faithful carried your holy relics, John, to Constantinople, from now on your glory will pass to the last of the earth and throughout the entire universe, teaching everyone to sing to you:
Rejoice, stranger, you who have entered your heavenly fatherland; Rejoice, thou who hast advised all churches with prayers.
Rejoice, on the way to Pithiunt, the distant current in Komaneh; Rejoice, for the holy martyr Basilisk predicted your death.
Rejoice, having heard from this: Brother, who will be found in abundance in the morning; Rejoice, strengthened by the acceptance of the Holy Mysteries for ascension to heaven.
Rejoice, for your soul has quietly separated from your laborious body; Rejoice, for I will not touch corruption with your bones.
Rejoice, for today in this temple the Bloodless Sacrifice is offered up; Rejoice, inhabitant of the heavenly heights, illuminated by the eternal light.
Rejoice, for you appeared with Saints Basil the Great and Gregory the Theologian, and you taught all to praise you together with them; Rejoice, glory to the universal Church.
Rejoice, great saint John Chrysostom.
Kontakion 13.
O great saint John Chrysostom! Look down from the heavenly heights upon us, prostrated to the ground, and receive this praise from our love, begging the Lord God to pour out His grace upon us, the weak healing one. He will strengthen those in Orthodoxy, and bring those who have fallen away from the Church into its fold, with compassion Replenishing what is lacking with His own, and He will make everyone worthy to sing to Him with you and all the saints forever: Alleluia.
This kontakion is read three times, then the 1st ikos and the 1st kontakion.
Prayer.
O great saint John Chrysostom! You received many and varied gifts from the Lord and, like a good and faithful servant, you multiplied all the talents given to you: for this reason you were truly a universal teacher “For every age and every rank learns from you. You are the image of obedience to the youth, the luminary of chastity to the young, the mentor of hard work to the husband, the teacher of gentleness to the old, the rule of abstinence to the monk, the leader of God-inspired prayer to those who pray. knowledgeable, enlightener of wisdom for those who seek wisdom, an inexhaustible source of living words for those who do good, for those who do good - a star of mercy, for rulers - a wise image of government, a zealot of righteousness - an inspirer of boldness, a mentor of righteousness for the sake of the persecuted - patience: you were everything, and you saved everyone . Above all of these you have acquired love, which is the bond of perfection, and with that, as by the power of the Divine, you have united all the gifts in one person in one place. love, shared and reconciling, in the interpretation of the words of the apostles, you preached to all the faithful. We are sinners, we each have our own gifts, we are not imams of unity of spirit in the union of the world, we are vain, irritating to each other, envious of each other; Therefore, for the sake of our gift, we are divided not into peace and salvation, but into enmity and condemnation. Moreover, we fall to you, the saint of God, overwhelmed by discord, and in contrition of heart we ask: through your prayers drive away from our hearts all pride and envy that separates us, so that in me Let us be one church body, so that according to your prayerful words we will love each other and with one mind we confess the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, the Trinity, Consubstantial and Indivisible, now and ever and unto the ages of ages. Amen.
The Childhood and Youth of Saint John
The saint was born in the middle of the fourth century AD on the territory of ancient Syria. His parents were rich, his father served as a noble official. Soon after the birth of John, he departed to the Lord. The mother devoted her life to raising her son. He received an excellent secular education and read many books.
But John came to the Christian faith later , already at a conscious age. At the age of twenty he received Baptism from Saint Meletius of Antioch. The young man was appointed a reader, and he began to attend theological school.
Monasticism
After the death of his mother, John became a monk. He was offered the post of bishop, but he refused out of humility. The young monk spent four years in the desert, praying to God in solitude.
- At this time, John wrote his first works.
- Then John was ordained a deacon, and five years later - a priest.
What not to do on this day
You can't swear or be offended by others. It is better to completely abandon anger and malice, because in the future the Lord may refuse requests and prayers.
God can turn away from people who are accustomed to living dishonestly. Previously, it was customary to go to church in the morning to pray at the image of the saint. John Chrysostom was mentioned in the prayers. He was contacted in the following cases:
- before setting off on a long journey;
- to calm the soul and find the true path;
- when necessary for health or recovery;
- for help in establishing the material side of life.
Russian Orthodox Church
The ecumenical teacher and saint John Chrysostom shone on the spiritual horizon in the 4th century after the Nativity of Christ.
The saint was born around 347 in Antioch, into a wealthy military family. Having lost his father early, he remained in the arms of his then young mother, who, finding herself a widow at the age of 20, did not remarry and devoted all her strength to raising her son in the rules of Christian piety.
Having received a comprehensive education and Christian upbringing, John enters the service as a lawyer, but soon decides to devote himself entirely to the service of God alone and take monasticism. Already in his house he begins to lead a harsh abstinent life. Together with his friends - Maxim, Theodore (future Bishop of Mopsuestia) and Basil (future Bishop of Rafansky) - John studies the Holy Scriptures in depth at the theological school of Diodorus of Tarsus.
In 370, Saint Meletius of Antioch appointed John a reader. Around 375, having learned that they wanted to make him a bishop for his brilliant talents, he hid in a monastery, where, in his justification, he wrote famous conversations about the priesthood as a supramundane rank, a mediator between heaven and earth. He spends four years in monastic endeavors, and then another two years indulges in asceticism and contemplation of God in a secluded cave. In his writings to those hostile against monasticism, John, with all the fervor of a God-loving heart, sings of desert life, in which the purified soul sweetly converses with the Creator. There is evidence that at this time he discovered the gift of healing and miracles. But he was still forced to return to Antioch due to illness: excessive exploits exhausted his flesh.
At the beginning of 381, John was ordained deacon. He remained in this rank for five years, being an assistant to the bishop and doing charity work. He writes essays, including “Three Words to the Ascetic Stagirius,” strengthening faith in the saving Providence of God and in the patience of sorrows.
In 386 he was ordained a priest. According to legend, during the ordination, a white dove flew into the temple and, in front of everyone, sat on the head of John - as a symbol of the Holy Spirit and purity of the soul.
His 12 years of priesthood in Antioch were a truly preaching ministry. At least once a week he preached the word of God, explaining the Holy Scriptures. But caring for the poor, widows, wanderers and prisoners remained his favorite pastime. Within a few years, about three thousand widows and virgins were fed under the Church of Antioch.
The fame of John as a wonderful shepherd, spirit-bearing preacher and ascetic soon spread throughout all the borders of the empire. Not only Orthodox Christians came to listen to him, but also Arians, Jews and pagans. His word, seasoned with love, touched any soul and heart, his sermons breathed with power and life, for he taught as he lived himself, and interpreted divine teaching through objects known and understandable to everyone.
For his extraordinary eloquence, John was nicknamed Chrysostom. It was at this time that he taught his flock the deepest interpretations of the book of Genesis, the Gospel of Matthew and John, the epistles of the Apostle Paul, the Psalms, and the book of the prophet Isaiah. He directed his fiery word against destructive heresies, denouncing Jews, Judaizing Christians and schismatics.
John often preached about love for enemies, and often with his life he proved this love and noble condescension towards his persecutors. The Antiochians saw Chrysostom as an apostle of love and repentance. He was constantly compared to the Baptist of the Lord John the Baptist and the Apostle John the Theologian. The city could not imagine itself without Chrysostom. During his sermons, everyone quit their work and ran to the crowded church; when he was forced to leave, the life of the townspeople froze, as if during a misfortune. He himself also could not live a day without his beloved flock and was sure that he would never leave Antioch.
In 397, after the death of the Archbishop of Constantinople Nektarios, Saint John Chrysostom was summoned from Antioch to be brought to the See of Constantinople. In the capital, the holy archpastor could not preach as often as in Antioch. Many matters awaited the saint's decision; he began with the main thing - with the spiritual perfection of the priesthood. And here the best example was himself. The saint used the funds intended for the archbishop to maintain several hospitals and two hotels for pilgrims. The archpastor was content with meager food and refused invitations to dinners. The saint's zeal for the establishment of the Christian faith extended not only to the inhabitants of Constantinople, but also to Thrace, including the Slavs and Goths, Asia Minor and the Pontic region. He appointed a bishop for the Church of the Bosporus, located in Crimea. Saint John sent zealous missionaries to Phenicia, Persia, to the Scythians, wrote letters to Syria to return the Marcionite Church, and achieved this. The saint put a lot of work into organizing a splendid Divine service: he composed the rite of the Liturgy, introduced antiphonal singing at the all-night vigil, and wrote several prayers for the rite of the blessing of oil.
The licentiousness of the capital's morals, especially of the imperial court, found an impartial accuser in the person of the saint. When Empress Eudoxia, the wife of Emperor Arcadius (395-408), ordered the confiscation of property from the widow and children of the disgraced nobleman, the saint came to their defense. The proud empress did not yield and harbored anger at the archpastor. Eudoxia’s hatred of the saint flared up with renewed vigor when her ill-wishers told her that the saint had her in mind in his teaching about vain women. The court, composed of hierarchs who had been rightly denounced earlier by Chrysostom, decided to depose Saint John and put him to death for insulting the empress. Emperor Arcadius replaced the execution with exile. There was a crowd of excited people at the temple, determined to defend their shepherd. The saint, in order to avoid unrest, gave himself into the hands of the authorities. That same night an earthquake occurred in Constantinople. Frightened Eudoxia asked the emperor to urgently return the saint and immediately sent a letter to the exiled shepherd, begging him to return. But after two months, a new denunciation aroused Eudoxia’s anger. In March 404, an unrighteous council was held, which decided to expel St. John. After he was removed from the capital, a fire reduced the Senate building to ashes, devastating barbarian raids followed, and in October 404 Eudoxia died. Even the pagans saw in these events Heavenly punishment for the unrighteous condemnation of the saint of God.
While in Armenia, Saint John tried to strengthen his spiritual children. In numerous letters (245 have survived) to the bishops of Asia, Africa, Europe and his friends in Constantinople, he consoled the suffering, instructed and supported his followers. In the winter of 406, the saint was bedridden by illness. But his enemies did not stop. An order came from the capital to transfer him to remote Pitiunt (Pitsunda, in Abkhazia). Three months of the most difficult journey finally undermined the already weak health of the sufferer. During a stop in Comana, Saint Basilisk, martyred here under Maximin, appeared to the exhausted saint and said: “Take courage, brother John, tomorrow we will be together.” The next day, Saint John Chrysostom died after receiving the Holy Mysteries. His last words were: “Thank God for everything!” This happened on September 14, 407.
In 437, when Arkady’s son, Theodosius II, was already sitting on the throne, at the request of the Constantinople flock and Patriarch Proclus, the holy relics of Chrysostom were transferred with honor to Constantinople.
