Continuing our presentation of important aspects of the life of St. John Chrysostom, and drawing on George I of Alexandria’s Exegesis: The Life, Conduct, and Miracles of Our Holy Father, Ecumenical Teacher, and Archbishop John Chrysostom (Chs. 8–19), we present five selected miracles of the Saint.
1. Healing a Blind Eye
A believer from Antioch named Euclius, a friend of John, had lost the sight of his right eye. Later he became a monk in the monastery where John lived in ascetic struggle.
At his monastic tonsure, John blessed him, saying:
“May God enlighten the eyes of your soul and body for the fulfillment of His divine commandments.”
Immediately, sight returned to his right eye.
Witnessing the miracle, the Fathers exclaimed:
“The Holy Spirit dwells in John.”
2. Healing a Man Tormented by Migraines
There was in Antioch a wealthy but hard-hearted and uncharitable man who suffered from unbearable migraines. Physicians could not help him. His suffering became so severe that one eye had become displaced and hung upon his cheek.
Hearing of John, he hurried to the monastery, fell before him, kissed his hands, and pleaded:
Patient: Bless me, Father! Pray that the Lord may heal me. If I could find someone to cure me, I would give him all my wealth—even my soul, if possible.
John: If you truly believe in your heart that the Lord can heal you, and if you renounce your sins, you shall witness the power and glory of God.
Patient: I believe.
The man took John’s monastic cap, placed it upon his head and over his eye, and instantly the miracle occurred. The pain ceased, and the eye returned to its place, perfectly restored, as though he had never suffered.
3. Healing a Woman with a Hemorrhage
A wealthy woman of Antioch named Christina had suffered from bleeding for seven years. Proud and neglectful of the poor, she finally came to seek help from John.
Her husband fell at the saint’s feet and said:
Husband: Holy Father, help us.
John replied:
John: How can I, a sinner, perform such wonders? Illnesses are sometimes given to correct us, sometimes to purify us, and sometimes to reveal virtue.
Tell your wife that luxury has made her proud. Let her learn that we are dust, and wealth means nothing before death.
Let her feed the poor, practice fasting, avoid excess, and devote herself to the Church. If she does this, God will heal her.
Wife: I will do all that the Holy Father commands.
John: Go in peace. The Lord will heal you.
At that very moment, she was healed.
4. Healing a Leper
A prominent officer of Antioch named Archelaus was afflicted with leprosy. Ashamed, he withdrew from public life.
A friend urged him:
“I have heard of a holy monk near the city—let us go to him.”
They found John at the monastery entrance.
Archelaus: Holy Father, pray to God to remove this disease from me. I know God hears you.
John: Promise God that you will keep His commandments and give to the poor, and He will heal you.
Archelaus: I will do as you say. If I have wronged anyone, I will restore it twofold.
Following John’s instruction, pilgrims washed Archelaus with water, and his leprosy vanished.
John then warned him:
John: Be careful never to oppress the poor. God is their defender and does not tolerate injustice. Even the rich man in the Gospel was condemned though he committed no outward violence—what then awaits those who do?
Had this illness not humbled you, eternal destruction might have awaited you. Give thanks to the Lord.
Deeply moved, Archelaus answered:
Archelaus: It was as though Christ Himself has spoken to me. I will change my life.
He sold his possessions, gave to the poor, entered the monastery, and remained there until his death, giving thanks to God, to John, and to the friend who led him there.
5. The Lion Destroyed by the Cross
In the region of Antioch, a lion terrorized the countryside, attacking livestock and people. Soldiers repeatedly tried to kill it, but the beast broke their weapons and dragged victims to its den.
Villages were abandoned.
The people came to John crying:
Villagers: Holy Father, have mercy on us! Save us from this calamity.
John answered:
John: If you had faith, you would not fear the lion, for Christ has given believers authority over serpents and scorpions.
Take this Holy Cross and place it where the lion passes. Leave, and the Lord will show His power.
But repent also. Attend the divine services. Ask forgiveness for your negligence and sins, lest worse things befall you.
The men planted the Cross in the lion’s path and departed.
The next morning they found the lion lying dead beside the Cross.
News of the miracle spread throughout the region. Crowds came and saw it with their own eyes.
Even idolaters who witnessed the wonder believed in Christ.
And this was the greater miracle.
Greater than the death of the lion was the conversion of souls.
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