At the Feet of the Fathers: St. John Chrysostom—Pay Careful Attention to Scripture

At the Feet of the Fathers

Monday, February 6, 2023

St. John Chrysostom

John Chrysostom (c. AD  347 – 14 September AD 407) was an important early Church father who served as archbishop of Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul, Turkey). He is known for his preaching, public speaking, his stand against abuses both among secular authorities and in the church, and his Divine Liturgy used to this day in Eastern Orthodoxy. The name Chrysostom means "golden-mouthed" in Greek and was given to him for his celebrated eloquence. Chrysostom was one of the most prolific authors in the early Christian Church.

Pay Careful Attention to Scripture

We are on the point of entering (if God permits it) a city of gold, and more precious than any gold. Let us mark her foundations and her gates of sapphire and pearl—for we have an excellent guide in Matthew. His is the gate through which we shall now enter, and we need to be very diligent. For if he sees anyone not paying attention, he throws them out of the city.

Yes, for the city is most royal and glorious—not like the cities among us, where there are a marketplace and royal courts, for there everything is the court of the King. So let us open the gates of our minds. Let us open our ears, and—with great trembling—as we are about to set foot on the threshold, let us worship the King who is in it.

— St. John Chrysostom, Homily 1 on Matthew , 17