ST. JOHN CHRYSOSTOM
†14 September 407
DISMISSAL HYMN; Tone 8:
The grace which shone forth from thy mouth like the radiance of fire hath enlightened the whole world, hath laid up treasures of the lack of avarice, and hath shown us the heights of humility of mind. Yet, while instructing [us] by thy discourses, O father John Chrysostom, entreat the Word, Christ God, that our souls be saved.
KONTAKION; Tone 6:
Thou didst receive divine grace from the heavens, and with thy lips thou teachest all to worship the one God in Trinity. O most blessed and venerable John Chrysostom, we praise thee as is meet, for thou art an instructor revealing things divine.
THE LIFE OF OUR HOLY FATHER JOHN CHRYSOSTOM,
PATRIARCH OF CONSTANTINOPLE
Whose Memory the Holy Church Celebrates on 13 November
Saint John Chrysostom, beacon of the world, universal teacher, pillar and foundation of the Church, and preacher of repentance, came from Antioch of Syria, and was born about A.D. 347. His parents, Secundus and Anthusa, belonged to the best Antiochian society and professed the Christian Faith. Secundus was a military commander and held a position of honor; but he was unable to have any influence upon the upbringing of his son, for he died when John was still a young child. For this reason, all the responsibility for John’s rearing rested upon his mother, the pious Anthusa. Bereft of her husband at quite a young age — she was only twenty years old — she did not wish to marry a second time, but devoted herself wholly to the upbringing of her son. It was from her that the child John received his first lessons in Christian truths and piety. |
