Church Father · c. AD 347–407

John Chrysostom

"Chrysostom" ("Golden-mouthed") is a later honorific for his renowned preaching, not his own name; Patriarch of Constantinople from 398, exiled twice for conflict with the imperial court and deposed bishops, and died in exile. On the Priesthood is formally a dialogue defending his evasion of an earlier episcopal election by deceiving his friend Basil into being ordained instead — read its idealized picture of priestly ministry as a persuasive, not strictly descriptive, document.

Brief introduction from the source collection. A full library biography has not yet been prepared.