John Chrysostom
| John Chrysostom | |
|---|---|
 John Chrysostom, a mosaic of the ninth century, Hagia Sophia . | |
| Birth | between 344 and 349 Antioch ,  Roman Empire |
| Deaths | 407 (58 years) |
| Nationality | Roman |
| Revered by | Roman Catholic Church Orthodox Church Coptic Church |
| Day | January 27 |
| Patron saint | Doctor of the Church |
| Servant of God Venerable Happy St. | |
John Chrysostom, born in Antioch, between 344 and 349 .
Summary |
His family, Christian, belongs to the bourgeoisie of Antioch. His father, an army officer Syrian , died when John was still a child. It is then raised by his mother. As an adolescent, he would have received, according to some Christian writers of the fifth century, the teaching of the famous orator and teacher of rhetoric Libanius , but it is not insured, although it was certainly brought to the rhetoric. He testified that he conducted a disorganized and youth have been "shackled by the appetites of the world" (From the Priesthood, I, 3), then accuse of being a gourmet, lover of forensic eloquence and drama.
At 18, he asked the baptism , after meeting with Bishop Meletios. He began to take courses of exegesis from Diodorus of Tarsus. After completing his graduate studies , he received minor orders, and then settled as a hermit at the gates of Antioch, and devoted himself to theology. He then composed his treatise On the Priesthood, influenced by the ideas of Gregory Nazianzen. According to John, monasticism is not the only path to perfection. If the monk, living a reclusive life, away from temptations, can more easily reach his goal, John J. deserving even more towards the priest, who devoted himself in the midst of the perils of the world in its next hello (VI, 5):
"The monk who would work and sweat in comparison with the priesthood as it should be exercised, would see much difference between the terms of subject and emperor. "
During the winter of 380 - 381 , it is ordained deacon by Meletios in Antioch. A few years later he was ordained priest. He becomes a preacher and spiritual director. He continued his writing, and wrote numerous treaties: to console a widow on remarriage, education, the practice of cohabitation of monks and nuns, etc.. He acquired some fame for his oratorical skills: the faithful take notes of his homilies.
In 397 , Nectarios , Archbishop of Constantinople , died. After a fierce battle of succession, the emperor Arcadius chose John. It rises with great force against the moral corruption and licentious life of the great, which it attracts a lot of violent hatred. He dismisses the priests or bishops, he deems unworthy, including the bishop of Ephesus , and forcibly returned to their monastery monks vagrants. It also attacks the heretics , the Jews and the Gentiles: "The Jews and Gentiles need to learn that Christians are the saviors, protectors, leaders and teachers of the city" (Homilies on the statues, I, 12 ). There is foul language against Jews, calling them pigs. Regarding them, he said: "The synagogue is worse than a brothel. Is the den of thieves and the lair of wild beasts. The temple of demons devoted to idolatrous cults. "
He imposes his authority to the dioceses of Asia Minor around. Repugnant to its representational duties, he takes his meals alone and requires a lifestyle frugal and austere in his entourage.
If he enjoys the favor from the imperial couple, it quickly attracts the enmity of the upper classes and bishops. When John ordered the return of relics of St. Phocas , the Empress Eudoxia , wife of Arcadius, takes care of himself wearing the shrine through the city, including the John then thanked warmly in a homily. In 399 , his influence was able to salvage the eunuch Eutropius, disgraced and refuge in the cathedral. However, the hostility of the imperial court is increasing. John ends up hurting deeply Eudoxia criticizing him grabbing a sum belonging to the widow Callitrope and property of another widow: it compared the Empress to the infamous Queen Jezebel of the Old Testament.
In 402 , John is taken in the case of Theophilus , Patriarch of Alexandria , publicly accused of tyranny and injustice by a group of monks followers of Origen. These rely on John, who tries to recuse himself, but must finally accept to preside over a synod , convoked by the emperor, before whom Theophilus is supposed to occur. Theophilus then engages the fight against his judge, bringing together all the malcontents. Finally arriving in Constantinople in June 403 , Theophilus is accompanied by an armada of Egyptian bishops. The case then turns against John, he was summoned by the bishops to answer charges made against him. John is then removed and condemned, condemnation ratified by Arcadius.
He was immediately recalled at the request of the Empress who, having had a miscarriage, sees a warning from Heaven. However, repeat the accusations against him. John is reluctant diplomat, beginning a sermon with a reference to Herodias claiming head of John the Baptist. Finally, there is a second time and sentenced to exile Cucusus in Armenia. Shortly after, he must take refuge in the castle of Arabia to escape an incursion Isaurians. In 407 , he was sent to Pithyos on the Black Sea , on the borders of the empire. Weakened by illness, John died during the voyage nearly Comana (in) the bridge. According to tradition, his last words were "Glory to God in all things" ("doxa to theo panton eneken).
The Roman Church has always remained loyal to Bishop John. Pope Innocent I first wrote to him in his exile to comfort him. He condemned the council's Oak, which had filed.
In 438 , Emperor Theodosius II made to repatriate the remains of John to Constantinople, which are deposited in the church of the Holy Apostles. This translation is commemorated in the Church on January 27.
Works
John Chrysostom preached much, much writing. While many works formerly attributed to his patronage, have been restored to their rightful owner, the number of authentic works nonetheless considerable.
It divides his writings ( Clavis Patrum Grcorum 4305-5197) in several groups.
Treaties
Exhortations to Theodore; Treaty of priesthood praise of monastic life and the comparison of the solitary king compunction Treaty: Treaty of illicit cohabitation; Treaty of virginity; Treaties against the second marriage; Treaty controversy.
Homilies and Speeches
- Various homilies: Homilies on the texts of the Bible (Genesis, Psalms, Isaiah, Matthew, John, Acts of the Apostles, Epistles to the Romans, Corinthians, Ephesians, Galatians, Philippians, Colossians, Thessalonians, Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews);
- Homilies on the incomprehensibility of God.
Letters
A particular example is the series of "Letters to Olympiad.
Other
Finally, even if not directly to him, the usual liturgy of the Orthodox Church bears his name. Also, read the homily at the Easter Vigil, is attributed to John Chrysostom.
John Chrysostom and the Orthodox Church
Introduced, exiled from his living by the political authority, John Chrysostom is one of the most prominent saints of the Orthodox Church.
On the liturgical
The Orthodox Church uses three Eucharistic liturgy: that of St. Basil (used a dozen times in the year, especially during Lent and the Holy Basil), the Liturgy of Presanctified (weekdays during Great Lent) and the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom , used throughout the rest of the year.
From a theological
If the Orthodox Church is often defined as the Church Fathers, stressing the continuity in the transmission of faith, it means by the term "Three Holy Hierarchs (= hierarch Bishop) three Fathers who, each in a particular aspect have relied particularly in the fourth century: Gregory Nazianzen , Basil of Caesarea and John Chrysostom. This "meeting" of saints so different from each other in some aspects, aims to show that the unity of the Church is unique in faith, not in uniformity.
Socially
Tireless preacher, tireless commentator of the Gospel, John Chrysostom constantly intertwines two themes: the glory of God and love of neighbor. If he preaches the "Sacrament of the Altar" (the Eucharist), it is to continue on the "sacrament of the brother" (the phrase is his), and the responsibility of the rich for more poor. If he speaks of the risen Christ is resurrected to emphasize that "naked" and that his example, there is no need to be buried in luxurious fabrics: the sale to support the destitute being much more "intelligent" ...
Patronages
He is the protector of people who suffer from epilepsy (as this condition is called evil of John ) and who send prayers for hope for a cure.
He is the patron of professionals who speak before an audience (speakers, presenters, lecturers, etc.)..
Relations
In common parlance, a "golden-mouthed John" is a person who speaks with eloquence or speaking frankly and clearly .
Stevan Stojanovi Mokranjac , Sergei Rachmaninov , Pyotr Tchaikovsky , and Arvo Prt ( Litany ) and others have put into music the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. Rebroff Ivan started all he gave recitals in churches with a song a cappella snippet Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom.
His eloquence, his courage against the rulers and the originality of his name are the reasons why the poet Georges Brassens was mentioned in the song "Dying for ideas."
In the film The Red and the Black (1954), Julien Sorel (played by Gerard Philipe ), seminarian, quoting St. John Chrysostom.
A district of the city of Lvis ( Quebec ) is called Saint-Jean-Chrysostome. This district has over 21,000 inhabitants.
References
- The date of birth is discussed.
- Nominees: St. John Chrysostom
- Source Dictionary CNRTL
See also
Related articles
Bibliography
- Hans von Campenhausen, The Greek Fathers, Seuil, coll. "Book of Life, 1969 (1st edition 1963 ) ( ISBN 2-02-000546-8 ).
- (In) "John Chrysostom" in Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913.
External Links
- St. John Chrysostom, the complete works on the site of the Abbey of Saint-Benoit of Port-Valais
- patristique.org , writings of St. John Chrysostom, general information on the Fathers of the Church, original texts, translations, teaching materials, prayers, meditations ...
- (El) Texts of St. John Chrysostom on the Homer Project Site
| Preceded by: Nectary | Patriarch of Constantinople | Followed by: Arsaces |
Loading ...