Golden Mouthed Saint

This saint has always been one of interest to me.  I was glad to add him to our collection this week.

Today is the feast day of St. John Chrysostom

Feast Day:  September 13
Patron against epilepsy
Birth: 344
Death: 407
Originally from Antioch
Pagan parents although his father died soon after birth
See of Constantinople
Died on the way to his place of exile in Pythius

John's early schooling was under a pagan orator of the day.  However, once he found his calling used his experience to proclaim the message as a reader of the Word.  At one point he was an anchorite but due to poor health returned to the city to spread the message of the Gospel.

As he became more publicly known throughout the region he was asked to take on the role of See of Constantinople.  He refused to live the lavish life of past leaders.  He also reformed the clergy which was unpopular.  He then began supporting monks who were destroying pagan symbols in the area.

He was sent into exile but died on the way.  John came to be venerated as a saint soon after his death.

"No one can harm the man who does himself no wrong."