Continuing our presentation of important moments from the life of Saint John Chrysostom, and drawing from George of Alexandria’s Exegesis: The Life, Conduct, and Miracles of Our Holy Father, Ecumenical Teacher, and Archbishop John Chrysostom (Chs. 14–17), published by Archangels Publications (U.S.A.), we now turn to one of the most remarkable events in the life of Saint John Chrysostom: his ordination to the holy priesthood.
According to this ancient account, the ordination of Saint John Chrysostom was accompanied by heavenly signs, including the appearance of a golden dove, and was followed by some of the saint’s first recorded miracles in Antioch.
John spent four years in the monastery living among the brotherhood of monks. Thereafter, desiring an even more rigorous ascetic life, he withdrew to a cave, where he remained for two years. Such was the severity of his ascetic discipline that he slept standing upright, supporting his head with a rope fastened to the wall. As a result of these extreme labors, he became gravely ill and was forced to leave the cave and return to the city, where he remained for three years. During this period, he was ordained to the diaconate by Meletius, Bishop of Antioch. He afterward returned once more to the monastery and remained there for another three years.
An Angel Instructs the Bishop of Antioch
One night, an angel of the Lord appeared to Flavian, Bishop of Antioch—for Meletius had already reposed—and said to him:
“Go to the monastery in the morning, bring John down to the city, and ordain him to the priesthood.”
That same night, another angel appeared to John and said:
“God has sent me to tell you that you must teach the people, for many shall be saved through your preaching. Choose two monks and appoint them to oversee the monastery.”
Bishop Flavian, accompanied by two clergymen, went to the monastery to bring John back to the city. The monks burst into tears and said to him:
“We cannot remain here without you.”
They departed from the monastery and followed after him. Repeatedly the bishop urged them to return, warning that he would rebuke them if they refused. At last they obeyed and went back to the monastery, beating their breasts in grief and sorrow.
The Appearance of the Golden Dove
News that the renowned Deacon John was descending into the city quickly spread throughout Antioch. The women, according to the custom of the time, remained in their homes and watched from their windows as John entered the city, believing that even the sight of him would bring them a blessing.
The following morning, the ordination of Saint John Chrysostom to the holy priesthood was to take place. Priests, rulers, officials, faithful men and women, children, and even pagans flocked to the church. The building was filled beyond capacity, and no one else could enter.
At the very moment of his ordination, a dove of golden radiance descended and rested upon his head. This miraculous sign was understood by those present as a testimony to God’s favor upon Saint John Chrysostom and his future ministry in the Church.
If God worked miracles through him while he was still a monk, how much more did He glorify him after his ordination to the priesthood! A few examples follow.
“Pray to the Lord to save my child,” said Euclia, the wife of a government official, to Father John. “He is burning with fever.”
“Cease from sin,” replied the saint. “Because of your sins, you have already lost four children.”
“We repent,” they answered. “We shall sin no more.”
Taking water, he blessed it with the sign of the Cross and sprinkled the child three times. Immediately the fever departed.
“Take this gold,” said the father. “You have healed my child.”
“Give it to those whom you have wronged,” answered the saint, “and distribute the rest to the poor. Sin no more. God has guided you here because He desires your salvation.”
Saint John Chrysostom Converts a Marcionite Governor
The governor of Antioch and his wife were adherents of the Marcionite heresy. When the woman fell gravely ill, her husband summoned physicians and also called upon the Marcionites to pray for her, but all was in vain.
At last, he placed his wife upon a stretcher and brought her before Saint John.
“If you renounce your heresy and embrace the Orthodox Faith,” said the saint, “God will grant you healing.”
“We renounce heresy and embrace the Orthodox Faith,” they replied.
John sprinkled her with holy water, and immediately the woman rose completely healed from the stretcher. Thereafter, both husband and wife were received into the Orthodox Church.
These first miracles of Saint John Chrysostom revealed not only the grace bestowed upon him through the priesthood, but also his zeal for repentance, charity, and the salvation of soul
Next article in this series: How St. John Chrysostom Became Archbishop of Constantinople
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