Vita Ioannis Chrysostomi

Life of the Holy and Blessed Teacher of the Whole World and Morning Star of the East, Our Father John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople. 1. Preface. The Author’s Sources. All the narrators of the “Old Law” said that he was before them, some by hearing and some by sight. Moses, the great prophet, told of the creation of the world, and he was not hidden from that creation, nor did he see it, but he wrote by the revelation of God. And after this he wrote another book, “Of the Exodus,” which told of the exodus of his people from Egypt and their liberation from Pharaoh. And some he heard from the Jews who were before him, but the greater part he saw with his own eyes. And after him, three other books he expounded as law for the Jews until the arrival of his death. And again after this, others told what happened in the times of “Joshua” and “the Judges,” the deeds and battles of the Jews with the pagans.

and after them, others wrote down the deeds of the "Kings" and the "Prophets" of the holy men, and also that book of the "Psalms" and "Wisdom" and "Proverbs," and again the trials that befell the Jews, Persians, and Medes at the hands of the Greeks. And many other narratives are found in the ancient books, which were written down in all times, so that each subsequent time might be known in turn. And again after this, the glorious coming of Jesus Christ shone forth like summer, which drove away the darkness of winter and dispelled the chill of the wicked and illuminated the hearts of the faithful, and was recorded by the disciples and evangelists. And after this, there appeared martyrs of truth, the righteous and the venerable, many in number, and their virtue, life, and asceticism were written down by the zealous ones, who existed in those times for the glorification of God and so that they might emulate their ways. And all this that we have mentioned is not for any vain purpose, but for this reason: that I too intend to write down the deeds of the all-holy and teacher of the whole world and of the morning star of the East, the blessed John, who governed and adorned the see of Constantinople in the times of the kings Arcadius and Honorius, for the benefit of the hearers.

But I have not seen any of these myself; rather, I have gathered and compiled them from those who wrote them down. And most of these accounts I learned from Palladios the bishop, from his book which was written to Theodore the deacon, who was of the church of Rome, for that bishop was dwelling at that time in Constantinople and had knowledge of everything that was done in those times. And later he abandoned his own city and his bishopric, for he did not wish to accept the communion of those who rose up against the blessed John and unjustly deposed him and condemned him, but rather they condemned their own heads. And some I learned from holy priests and from worthy laymen, and they assured me with an oath and said: "All this that we tell you, we found written down, for this man was beloved and desired by all, so much so that not only do men wish to hear of his life, but they also write it down in books." And some I learned from Socrates and from many others. And when I had read all this, it seemed fitting to me that I should gather such virtues and join them together, like a chain of gold.

And I did not wish to leave them scattered and divided, but I have made known to you all this in one book, and not that I have added anything of my own to this book. And although this account is small and of little worth compared to his sanctity and dignity, yet there is in it power and knowledge, for which it may be accepted with gratitude for the providence of this saint, and what zeal and eagerness he had for spirituality and for his blameless life, and how he cared for the life of men, like the holy apostle Paul in everything, for he translated books and interpreted them, which many could not understand. And he was a preacher of repentance, like John the Baptist, and he had compassion and meekness, like David the prophet. But he was possessed of divine zeal, like Elijah, for which reason he was deemed worthy, together with all these, to attain that eternal joy. Now from this point I shall begin and relate to you from the very childhood of his age, and his spiritual disposition and his worthy life, as I have found it written in many books, which those before me have written with such fitting knowledge. The beginning and commencement of his life.