On November 13, the Orthodox Church honors one of its greatest Fathers, Saint John Chrysostom—a Saint who dedicated his life to God and to humankind, with a heart burning for truth and a voice that became his most powerful instrument.
The Defender of Truth
From his early years, Saint John Chrysostom devoted every moment of his existence to serving God and his fellow human beings. He deeply loved the institutions of the Church and the State, respecting order and justice as the foundations of peace within the human soul. Yet, when injustice prevailed—when the powerful oppressed the poor and authority forgot the value of the human person—Saint John Chrysostom could not remain silent. His voice rose like thunder, becoming a piercing wound to those who could not bear to hear the truth.
His Unshakable Faith
Saint John Chrysostom never fought for rank or glory. His struggle was for the truth of the Gospel, for justice, for the defense of the oppressed. And it was precisely this unwavering stance that led him into exile—not once, but three times. He experienced hunger, cold, and illness. His body suffered, but his spirit remained unbroken. Within him pulsed the certainty that the justice of God cannot be imprisoned, exiled, or silenced.
His Legacy
The body of Saint John faded far from his homeland, in exile. Yet his words remained alive—radiant like gold—illuminating generations upon generations of believers. That is why he is called Chrysostomos, meaning “Golden-Mouthed”: because his mouth shone like gold, proclaiming the light of truth that never dies. Today, on November 13, we honor the memory of this great Father of the Church—the Saint who taught through his example that truth and justice are values worth fighting for, even when the path is filled with trials. Saint John Chrysostom remains a symbol of steadfast faith, courage, and devotion to truth—a Saint whose legacy continues to inspire and enlighten to this day.
