Today, September 13, is the memorial of Saint John Chrysostom.
Bishop and Doctor of the Church.
John was born in Antioch in 347. His father died when he was young. His influential mother Anthusa raised John and helped him get an education. He did, under the famous orator Libanius.
He became a hermit and practiced extreme asceticism: for two years, he never sat down, hardly ever slept, and memorized the Bible. As a result, John developed stomach and kidney ailments.
Because of his effective sermons, John was named Chrysostom, meaning golden-mouthed. He clearly explained the Scriptures, sometimes for many hours.
He reluctantly accepted becoming a bishop of Constantinople in 398. He criticized the rich for not sharing their wealth, fought to reform the clergy, prevented the sale of ecclesiastical offices, called for fidelity in marriage, and encouraged practices of justice and charity.
He later became Archbishop and Patriarch of Constantinople. He revised the Greek liturgy. Because his sermons were about advocating a lifestyle change, nobles and bishops worked to remove him from his diocese; he was twice exiled from his diocese. Banished to Pythius, he died along the way. His last words were “Glory be to God for all things.” His relics are enshrined in the Church of St. George, Istanbul, Turkey.