John Chrysostom

John Chrysostom (c. 349–407), archbishop of Constantinople, was the greatest preacher of the Greek church — his epithet Chrysostomos means “golden-mouthed.” Trained in the literal, historical exegesis of Antioch, he expounded the Scriptures in vast series of homilies on Matthew, John, Acts, and the whole Pauline corpus, which remain the fullest verse-by-verse commentary of the early church. A fearless moral reformer, he was twice exiled for rebuking the corruption of court and clergy and died on the road into exile. He is honoured as a Doctor of the Church and one of the Three Holy Hierarchs.