Relics of Saint John Chrysostom

Relics of Saint John Chrysostom September 13, 2012
One of the greatest archbishops in the long and turbulent history of Constantinople is the man we remember today, Saint John Chrysostom.  His great skill for preaching earned him the title “Chrysostomos” which means “golden tongued.”
Fortunately many of his sermons and writings have survived, his most lasting contribution being the Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom which is widely used today for Divine Worship in Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches.
Saint John Chrysostom’s eloquent speech and direct manner earned him several enemies including the wife of the emperor in Constantinople.  Before dying on September 14, 407, the saint was exiled from his beloved city and died in Pontus (Asia Minor).  After his enemies had perished, his relics were taken to Constantinople and were buried at the Church of the Twelve Apostles in 438.
After the Fourth Crusade in 1204, his relics were taken to Rome where they were placed under a prominent altar at Saint Peter Basilica.  The relics remained in Rome for exactly 800 years (until 2004), when Pope John Paul II instructed that the relics be returned to where they rightfully belonged.
The relics of Saint John Chrysostom are today at the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Saint George in Istanbul, Turkey, the Patriarchal Church of the Patriarch of Constantinople.  The return of the relics, along with the relics of Saint Gregory the Theologian, was hailed as a healing moment between both Eastern and Western Churches.  A hymn commemorating this historic return reads:
“The Church once more rejoices splendidly on the arrival of your sacred relic to the city, which you worthily shepherded; and she glorifies the heavenly Giver, O Father John Chrysostom, crying aloud: Behold your throne, O holy one.”
Also at the Patriarchal Church of Saint George one finds the Patriarchal throne which legend attributes as the throne of Saint John Chrysostom.  Unfortunately for us who wish it were so, an inscription below the throne reveals it was a 16th century gift to the Patriarch at that time.

May Saint John give us the courage today to proclaim the Gospel effectively at all times without counting the cost.  May his example inspire us and draw us all closer together in Christ.

 

Detail of the Iconostasis of Saint George, Istanbul

 

 

Exterior of the Patriarchal Church of Saint George, Istanbul (with many Greeks in front of it)
Residence of the present-day Patriarch of Constantinople, Istanbul
Pictures are mine, all rights reserved.

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