John Chrysostom

Archbishop of Constantinople, golden-mouthed preacher.

St. John Chrysostom, the Golden-Mouthed, was born in Antioch in the fourth century. First a monk and then a priest famed for his preaching, he was taken to Constantinople and consecrated its Archbishop. He preached constantly on the Scriptures, gave generously to the poor, and fearlessly rebuked the luxury and injustice of the powerful, for which he was twice driven into exile, dying with words of thanksgiving, glorifying God for all things.

The Divine Liturgy most often served in the Orthodox Church bears his name. One of the Three Holy Hierarchs, he is commemorated on January 27, the return of his relics to Constantinople, and again on November 13.

Feast day

On the New Calendar, John Chrysostom is commemorated on January 27. Churches on the Old (Julian) Calendar keep the feast on February 9 of the civil calendar.

Who celebrates a name day

People with these names keep their name day on this feast:

Ioannis, Giannis, Yiannis, Chrysostomos, John, Chrysostom

Also commemorated on January 27

• Markiane the Empress

  Holy Woman, Μαρκιανή

  Holy Empress Markiane of Constantinople.

• Peter the Egyptian

  Venerable, Πέτρος ο Αιγύπτιος

  Venerable Peter the Egyptian, disciple of Abba Lot.

• Demetrios of Constantinople

  Martyr, Δημήτριος ο εν Κωνσταντινουπόλει

  New Martyr Demetrios of Galata.

• Demetrianos of Tamassos

  Hierarch, Δημητριανός Ταμασού

  St. Demetrianos the Wonderworker, Bishop of Tamassos in Cyprus.

• Ashot the King

  Saint, Άσκιοτ ο Βασιλεύς

  Holy King Ashot Kuropalates of Georgia.

Icon: public domain image from Wikimedia Commons.