The last of the Greek
Fathers, John was born at Damascus where his father was the Caliph’s
Vizier. He was educated with great care by Cosmas, a Greek monk who
had been brought into Syria as a slave. On his father’s
death he succeeded him as Vizier, and had thus all that the world
could give him — wealth, honours, power, learning. But realising
the danger of his high position at a Muslim court, he divided his
riches among the poor and went as a pilgrim to Jerusalem, eventually
settling in the famous Laura or monastery of Saint Sabbas. His life
henceforth is a simple record of humility, prayer, labour and
obedience. He passed away 6 May 780 AD, being as is asserted one
hundred and four years old. On account of the flowing eloquence of
his writings Saint John acquired the surname “Chrysorrhoes”
(Golden Stream). His chief work, that on the Orthodox Faith, is the
first systematic Treatise on Dogmatic Theology we possess and has
been a model to the writers of succeeding ages. His convincing
discourses in defence of the veneration of icons marked him out as a
champion of the faith against Leo the Isaurian, the iconoclast
emperor of Constantinople, through whose machinations he was
sentenced to have his right hand cut off. It was afterwards
miraculously restored to him by Our Blessed Lady, whose devout client
he ever was. Venerated from his own age as a Saint, Pope Leo XIII
numbered him among the Doctors of the Church.
Also on this day according to the ROMAN
MARTYROLOGY:
At Drizipara in Pannonia, St. Alexander, a
soldier, in the time of emperor Maximian. Having overcome many
tribulations for Christ, and wrought many miracles, he completed his
martyrdom by decapitation.
The same day, the Saints Philetus, senator, his
wife Lydia, and their sons Macedon and Theoprepides. Also
Amphilochius, an officer in the army, and Chronidas, a notary, who
were put to death for the confession of Christ.
In Persia, in the reign of King Sapor, the holy
martyrs Zanitas, Lazarus, Marotas, Narses, and five others, who
merited the palm of martyrdom by being barbarously murdered.
At Salzburg, St. Rupert, bishop and confessor, who
spread the Gospel extensively in Bavaria and Austria.
In Egypt, the hermit St. John, a man of great
holiness, who among other virtues, was replenished with the spirit of
prophecy, and predicted to the emperor Theodosius that he would gain
the victory over the tyrants Maximus and Eugenius.
And in other places, many other holy martyrs,
confessors and virgins.
Thanks be to God.
