St. John Chrysostom (c. 349-407)

Archbishop of Constantinople and one of the Three Holy Hierarchs, called Golden Mouth for his preaching. At Antioch he preached through whole books of Scripture, verse by verse, and his homilies on Matthew, John and the letters of Paul remain the Church’s great commentary on them. Made archbishop of the capital against his will, he cut the palace’s luxuries, sold the episcopal furniture for the poor, and preached against the empress in terms she took personally. He was deposed, exiled twice, and died on a forced march to the Black Sea in 407, saying glory to God for all things. His Paschal Homily is read at every Paschal Matins in the world, and the Liturgy that bears his name is the one served on most Sundays. His relics were brought back to the city in 438. Feast: November 13.