Until AD 381, the Church of Alexandria was among the most prominent patriarchates in the Eastern Church. After the Second Ecumenical Council, however, Constantinople became the new capital of the Empire and was granted precedence in the East (Canon 3 of the Second Ecumenical Council). This change provoked a strong reaction from Alexandria. As a result, Patriarch Theophilus of Alexandria became one of Archbishop John Chrysostom’s fiercest opponents.
Eudoxia had already decided to exile John, but she wanted the support of the Church for this decision. She therefore wrote to Theophilus, Patriarch of Alexandria, asking him to come to Constantinople as soon as possible, bringing with him as many bishops as he could, so that a council might be convened to condemn John.
Theophilus was joined by bishops who had been deposed by John because of their immoral conduct. In 404, he convened a council of bishops at The Oak, near Constantinople, even though he had no authority to do so, since his jurisdiction was limited to Egypt. This illegitimate council, relying on false accusations, deposed John, thereby providing the imperial court with the pretext to send him into exile.
John was sitting in his episcopal residence, surrounded by forty bishops. Sensing that his end was near, he told them: “My life is drawing to its close. Pray for me, my brothers. If you love Christ, do not divide the Church because of me.”
Rumors had already spread that he would be executed by beheading. The bishops burst into tears.
“Sit down, my brothers. You weep for me, and that only increases my sorrow. For me, to live is Christ,” John reassured them.
Some could not bear the moment and kissed his eyes and his head before leaving.
“It is sorrowful that such things are done by men of the Church,” one bishop said.
John, as was his habit when deeply absorbed in thought, tapped his palm with his index finger and replied:
“Brother, there is only one concern now: that the Church remain united. Whoever succeeds me, you must remain in communion with him.”
Popular uprising in Constantinople
It was afternoon when the people heard of Saint John Chrysostom’s unjust condemnation. They guarded the church throughout the night, preventing the authorities from taking him away. John, however, secretly left the church and surrendered himself to the soldiers of Emperor Arcadius.
When the people learned of John’s exile, they flooded the streets in protest. Even those who had once opposed him now stood by his side, shouting against the emperor and the bishops, especially against Theophilus.
One night, a powerful earthquake struck Constantinople. A crack appeared in the imperial palace, even in Empress Eudoxia’s chamber. The empress feared that the earthquake was a divine sign connected to John’s exile.
The people, convinced that this was the cause, once again poured into the streets, crying:
“If John does not return, the whole city will perish!”
Emperor Arcadius sent Briso, Eudoxia’s closest adviser, together with other imperial officials, to bring John back.
They found him at Prainetos in Asia Minor, opposite Nicomedia, and urged him: “Come quickly to the city! We are in danger!”
John returned, but greater turmoil was still to come (George the Patriarch, Life of St. John Chrysostom, Chapters 46–52).
Saint John Chrysostom Returns to Constantinople
When the people learned that John was returning to the City, the entire Propontis was filled with crowds rushing to welcome him. Many sailed out in small boats to meet him.
“I was far away, and the city… the city moved; for one man, the sea became a city. Men and women, carrying infants in their arms, defied the waves,” John himself later recalled (Upon His Return from Exile, PG 52:445).
As Saint John Chrysostom stepped ashore, he had already resolved not to enter the city until the accusations against him had been examined by a lawful synod. He remained in the suburb of Marianes.
The crowds became indignant. They wanted John in the city and in his church, and their anger turned against the imperial palace. The soldiers urged John to enter the city and even pulled him toward it (George the Patriarch, Chapter 49).
The supporters of Emperor Arcadius and Empress Eudoxia, seeing that many of John’s former enemies had now become his supporters, occupied the churches to prevent his followers from worshipping there. A kind of civil conflict broke out, and blood was shed. The army had to intervene.
In order to prevent further violence, John finally entered the city. Upon reaching the Church of Saint Sophia, he refused to ascend the episcopal throne, declaring:
“I will ascend the throne only with the approval of the bishops who condemned me.”
The thirty bishops who accompanied him, together with the assembled people, insisted that he take his place. For their sake, John finally ascended the throne.
“Peace be with you,” he said as he stood before the congregation (Stylianos G. Papadopoulos, St. John Chrysostom, Vol. I).
Every year thereafter, the people celebrated the anniversary of John’s return from exile (George the Patriarch, Chapter 49).
The bishops who had participated in the synod that condemned John now became the target of popular anger. The crowds denounced them, and many bishops, fearing for their safety, abandoned the city and returned to their own provinces.
Theophilus locked himself inside his residence. When he learned that Emperor Arcadius intended to convene another synod to reconsider John’s case, he secretly fled to Alexandria during the night. Later, when Arcadius invited him to attend the synod, he declined, claiming that the time was unsuitable and that unrest in Alexandria prevented him from leaving. When the emperor summoned him again, Theophilus repeated the same excuses.
However, Eudoxia remained far from satisfied…
Next article in this series: The Second Exile of Saint John Chrysostom: Signs and Divine Judgment.
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