John Chrysostom (c. 347-407) was born in Syria. He studied rhetoric under the famed teacher Libanius. After his mother’s death, he entered a monastery near Antioch in 373 and remained there until about 381. That year he was named deacon of Antioch, a position he held for five years. In 386 he became the chief preacher in the city, due primarily to his great oratorical skills (Chrysostom means “golden mouthed”). In 398 he was named archbishop of Constantinople. Here he condemned the immorality of Queen Eudoxia which led to his banishment. He continued to care for the spiritual lives of the church through correspondence and contact with friends. He died in exile. His commentaries on the Bible along with his faithfulness during persecution made him a leading figure in the early church.
