My beloved spiritual children in Christ Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.
THE LIFE OF OUR FATHER AMONG THE SAINTS, SAINT JOHN CHRYSOSTOMOS, PATRIARCH OF CONSTANTINOPLE FEAST DAY ON NOVEMBER 13TH.
[Compiled from the writings of George, the Bishop of Alexandria; the Emperor Leo the Wise; Metaphrastes; Nicephoros; Socrates Scholasticus; and other historians worthy of credence.]
God bestowed upon Saint John Chrysostomos the gift of teaching and the grace of the Holy Spirit, which worked in him even as it had in the Apostles. This was revealed to one of the monks living in that monastery, an ascetic named Hesychius was also clairvoyant. One night, while keeping vigil and praying, he beheld in a vision two men of a magnificent appearance, clad in white garments and shining like the sun, who came down from heaven and entered the cell (kellion) of the blessed John as he stood in prayer. One of them held a scroll covered with writing and the other held keys. When St. John saw them, he was afraid and hastened to fall down to the ground before them. But they took him by the hands, and raising him up, said, "Take heart and have no fear."
Saint John asked them, "Who are you, my lords?"
They said to him, "Do not fear, O man of lofty desires, O new Daniel, in whom the Holy Spirit has deigned to make His abode, on account of your purity of heart. We have been sent to you by the Great Teacher, Our Savior Jesus Christ."
The first of the two men stretched forth his hand and gave St. John the scroll. As he did this he said, "Take this scroll from my hand, for I am John, who rested on the Lord's breast at the Mystical Supper and received from Him Divine Revelations. The Lord shall also bestow upon you the depths of wisdom, enabling you to nourish the people with the imperishable food of the teaching of Christ. Your lips shall stop the mouths of Jews and heretics who utter blasphemies against God."
Then the second man stretched forth his hand and gave St. John the keys, saying, "I am Peter, and the keys of the Kingdom have been entrusted unto me. The Lord wishes to grant you the keys of the holy Churches as well so that whomsoever you shall bind may be bound and whomsoever you shall loose may be loosed."
The blessed John again prostrated himself before the two men, and asked, "Who am I dare to take upon myself such great and fearful tasks? I am a sinner and worse than all other men."
But the Holy Apostles took the Saint by the right hand, and raising him up, said, "Stand firmly, take courage, and be strong. Do what has been commanded you, and do not conceal the gift that our Lord Jesus Christ has bestowed on you. Enlighten His people and confirm them in the faith, for He shed His blood for their sake so that they might be freed from the deception of the enemy. Teach the word of God without hesitation, remembering the Lord's saying: "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the Kingdom?" Do not be timid: Christ our God is pleased to bring many souls to sanctification and enlightenment through you. Numerous woes will befall you for righteousness' sake, but you must remain as firm as adamant, for thus you shall inherit the Kingdom of God."
So saying, the Apostles made the Sign of the Cross over John, gave him a kiss in the Lord, and departed. Such of the brethren as was tried in the virtues the blessed Hesychius told of his vision, and they were amazed and glorified God, Who has many hidden servants, unbeknown to all. But Hesychius forbade them to tell the other monks, lest John learn of the vision and depart from them, for he did not wish that they be deprived of the presence of God's great favorite.
Saint John did not cease to toil either for his own salvation or for that of others, laboring fervently himself and arousing other to struggle. The slothful he inspired to strive for heavenly things, to mortify their flesh, and to subject it to the spirit. Moreover, the blessed one worked numerous miracles while living the ascetic life in that monastery.
Saint John remained in the monastery for four years. Then, desiring a life of silence, he secretly departed into the desert where he found a cave, in which he remained for two years, living only for God.
After this, Saint John fell ill, enfeebled by his indescribable labors. The cold had harmed his legs, and he was no longer able to care for himself because of his infirmity. For this reason, he was compelled to leave the wilderness and to return to Antioch. This occurred in accordance with God's Providence for His Church so that the brilliant lamps would not remain hidden in a desert cave, as though beneath a bushel, but would be placed on the lampstand of the Church to illumine all. Thus Saint John ceased to have his dwelling among wild beasts and began to live amid men and to profit not only himself but others as well.
Upon his arrival in the city of Antioch, the blessed John was received with joy by the Most Holy Patriarch Meletius, who gave him a place to live. A short time thereafter, the Patriarch ordained John to the diaconate. He remained a Deacon for five years and became the adornment of the Church, both because of the virtue of his life and on account of the edifying treatise which he wrote at that time.
One night, while Flavian occupied the throne of Antioch, an Angel of the Lord appeared to the Patriarch as he stood at prayer. The Angel said, "Go tomorrow to the monastery where John, the favorite of God, has his dwelling. Bring him back to the city and ordain him Presbyter (Priest), for he is a chosen vessel and God will turn a multitude of people unto Himself through him."
An Angel also appeared to John at the same time. The Saint was praying in his cell (kellion) during the night, according to his custom when the Angel came to him and commanded him to return with Flavian to the city and to accept the Priesthood. The next day, the Patriarch arrived at the monastery, and the blessed John and all the monks came forth to meet him. They bowed down before him, received his blessing, and then led him to the church with fitting honor. The Patriarch served the Holy Liturgy, communed all the brethren with the Divine Mysteries (Sacraments), and after blessing the brethren again, returned to the city with John. The monks wept inconsolably because they did not wish that John is taken from them.
The next day Saint John was ordained. When the Patriarch placed his hand upon John's head, a shining white dove suddenly appeared, flying above the Saint. Seeing this, the Patriarch Flavian and all those present were amazed and stood there marveling. Word of this miracle spread throughout Antioch, the neighboring cities, and all Syria, and those who heard of it said, "What shall this mane become? The glory of the Lord has overshadowed him from the very day of his ordination.
(To be continued)
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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" - Saint John Chrysostom
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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia,
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+Father George