There lived in Constantinople a good, God-fearing nobleman name Theognostos. Theognostos was slandered to Emperor Theophilos by a certain envious official, a heretic, who said that the pious nobleman had cursed and reviled the Emperor, accusing Arcadius of having an insatiable lust for gold. For this reason, the Emperor condemned Theognostos and sent him to be imprisoned in Salonika. All his wealth and property were confiscated, save a single vineyard, which was situated outside the city.

he blessed one was elevated to the Patriarchal throne in the year 398 A.D., on the 26th of February. The Emperor and all his princes and nobles went to receive the blessing of the newly-consecrated Patriarch, who prayed for the ruler and the people, blessing them all. The Saint then gave a most edifying homily, exhorting the Emperor to adhere firmly to the Orthodox Christian faith, to shun heretics, to attend the divine services of the Church frequently, and to govern in a righteous and compassionate manner. "May Your Piety know," he said, "that I shall not fail to reprove and correct you when necessary, even as the Prophet Nathan did not hesitate to upbraid King David for his transgressions."

Saint John Chrysostom, beacon of the whole world, pillar and confirmation of the Church, and preacher of repentance, was born in the city of Antioch in Syria. His parents were unbelievers and held to the impiety of the Greeks. His father, who was an officer, was named Secundus and his mother Anthusa, and they were persons of wealth and repute.