Counsels and Correspondences of St. John Chrysostom

by St. John Chrysostom

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This collection contains many letters of St. John Chrysostom from being addressed to a young widow to Pope Innocent I. This collection also includes minor treatises titled “No One Can Harm the Man Who Does Not Harm Himself” and “Instructions to Catechumans.” Chrysostom was one of those rare men who combine greatness and goodness, genius and piety, and continue to exercise by their writings and example a happy influence upon the Christian church. He was a man for his time and for all times. But we must look at the spirit rather than the form of his piety, which bore the stamp of his age. He took Paul for his model, but had a good deal of the practical spirit of James, and of the fervor and loveliness of John. The Scriptures were his daily food, and he again and again recommended their study to laymen as well as ministers. He was not an ecclesiastical statesman, like St. Ambrose, not a profound divine like St. Augustin, but a pure man, a practical Christian, and a king of preachers. “He carried out in his own life,” says Hase, “as far as mortal man can do it, the ideal of the priesthood which he once described in youthful enthusiasm.”

Book Summary

This book is a collection of writings by and about St. John Chrysostom, a prominent figure in the early Christian Church. It includes an in-depth biography detailing his life and work, followed by several of his key treatises and personal letters. These writings offer insight into his theological beliefs, his pastoral approach, and the personal and political challenges he faced. The works cover themes of virtue, suffering, repentance, and the practical application of Christian faith in daily life, showcasing his renowned skill as a preacher and a spiritual guide.

The Life and Works of St. John Chrysostom

This section provides a comprehensive biography of St. John Chrysostom (c. 347–407 AD), known as the "Golden-Mouthed" for his exceptional preaching. It traces his journey from his early training in rhetoric under the pagan teacher Libanius in Antioch to his conversion and ascetic life as a monk. His career flourished as a priest and preacher in Antioch, where his powerful sermons on scripture and morality drew massive crowds. The biography details his reluctant appointment as Patriarch of Constantinople, a position that brought him into direct conflict with the imperial court, particularly Empress Eudoxia, and the powerful Patriarch Theophilus of Alexandria. His uncompromising stance against clerical corruption and aristocratic vice ultimately led to his unjust deposition and exile. The biography concludes by examining his character, highlighting his pastoral zeal, his focus on practical Christian living, his contributions to biblical exegesis through the "Antiochene School" of interpretation, and his enduring legacy as one of the greatest orators of the Church. His writings are categorized into moral treatises, homilies, letters, and the liturgy that bears his name.

Treatises on Christian Virtue and Initiation

This part of the book features some of Chrysostom's key instructional and philosophical works. The treatise "No One Can Harm the Man Who Does Not Harm Himself" argues that true injury is spiritual, not physical or material. Chrysostom posits that external calamities like poverty, slander, or even death cannot damage a person's soul or virtue. The only real harm is self-inflicted through sin and a lack of vigilance. He uses examples like Job and the Apostles to show that suffering can strengthen one's character and bring one closer to God. The "Instructions to Catechumens" are two sermons addressed to those preparing for baptism. In them, Chrysostom explains the meaning of baptism as a "laver of regeneration" that completely remakes the soul. He provides practical guidance for the Christian life, strongly admonishing against taking oaths, engaging in worldly pomp like wearing expensive jewelry, and practicing pagan superstitions such as using omens and amulets. He stresses that baptism is a covenant with Christ, requiring a sincere renunciation of Satan and a commitment to a virtuous life.

Pastoral Letters of Consolation and Appeal

This final section compiles a selection of Chrysostom's personal correspondence, revealing his role as a spiritual father and a church leader navigating immense turmoil. The "Two Exhortations to Theodore" are passionate letters to a friend who had fallen away from his monastic vows, urging him not to despair but to embrace repentance, citing numerous scriptural examples of God's mercy. In the "Letter to a Young Widow," he offers comfort by reframing widowhood not as a state of disgrace but as one of honor and spiritual opportunity, encouraging her to find solace in God rather than in the fleeting securities of the world. The letters written during his final exile, particularly those to his loyal deaconess Olympias and Pope Innocent I, are deeply moving. They reveal his enduring faith amidst severe hardship, his unwavering concern for the well-being of his flock, and the political machinations that led to his unjust removal from his see. In his appeal to Pope Innocent, Chrysostom details the lawless actions of his opponents and calls for a synod to address the corruption and restore order to the Church.