Empress Eudoxia was highly ambitious, and it was inevitable that such an empress would come into conflict with the dynamic and uncompromising Archbishop of Constantinople, John Chrysostom. And so it happened.
The Widow’s Vineyard
At that time, there was a law stating that if the Emperor or Empress entered a vineyard and ate grapes from it, the property could become imperial property.
According to George I, 7th-century Patriarch of Alexandria, knowing John’s compassion for the poor and perhaps wishing to provoke him, Eudoxia entered a widow’s vineyard, ate some grapes, and claimed the land for herself. Although compensation was supposed to be given, the widow wanted only the return of her vineyard, which she had cultivated through years of hard work.
Saint John Chrysostom sent a respectful message to the Empress through his archdeacon, Eutychius:
“God, through the prayers and virtues of your blessed parents, has made you Empress so that you may inherit the heavenly Kingdom. On the Day of Judgment, neither glory nor wealth will help us—only our good deeds. As a Christian and God-fearing woman, imitate those who have remained faithful and performed righteous deeds. Return the vineyard to the widow, so that you may have a good defense on the Day of Judgment. We are dust, and to dust we shall return. We entered this world naked, and naked we shall depart.”
Eudoxia replied:
“You insult me. I have done nothing unjust. I have merely followed the law. If you do not know the law, you should learn it. I have no intention of changing it.”
John later went personally to the palace and pleaded with Eudoxia:
John: “Return the vineyard to the widow and do not wrong her.”
Eudoxia: “I have already told you that I followed the law.”
John: “I tell you again: return the land to the widow. She asks for nothing unreasonable.”
Eudoxia: “Do not speak to royalty in this manner. It will not benefit you.”
John: “Return the vineyard to the widow. Do not rely on old laws, especially those established by pagan rulers. If you wish, you can change the law.”
Eudoxia: “No one will force me to do what I do not wish to do. And I will teach you not to defy me.”
With these words, she ordered that he be expelled from the palace.
John Denied Eudoxia Entry into the Church
On the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (September 14), Eudoxia went to church. To her surprise, she found the doors locked. Saint John Chrysostom had ordered that she not be allowed to enter.
“Do you see how much John hates me?” she cried. “Everyone is allowed into the church except me!”
“Open the doors for the Empress!” her attendants shouted. “Do not do such things!”
One of them drew his sword and attempted to break the locks. Immediately, his hand became paralyzed.
Frightened by what had happened, the Empress returned to the palace.
Later, the attendant came before Saint John and cried:
“I have sinned. I repent.”
Saint John Chrysostom healed his withered hand.
Eudoxia Demanded That a Statue Be Made of Her
The depth of Empress Eudoxia’s arrogance is revealed in what follows.
In the central square of Constantinople, there was a platform from which the emperors addressed the people. At Eudoxia’s request, a column was erected on the platform, and a silver statue of the Empress was placed on top of it. The statue depicted Eudoxia wearing imperial robes and standing in a commanding pose. It stood near the church of Hagia Sophia and close to the Senate, symbolizing her growing influence in both political and religious affairs.
Saint John Chrysostom, seeing this statue, regarded it as an insult to the Church and strongly rebuked those who had built it. Eudoxia understood that the rebuke was directed at her, and she became even more angered against John. From that moment on, she decided to take revenge on him (George the Patriarch, Ibid., Chapters 41–42, 51).
Next article in the series: First Exile – Earthquake and Aftermath
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