Saint John was born in Antioch, Syria in 347. After completing his studies in Athens, he returned to his hometown. At first he lived as an ascetic in the desert and studied the Holy Scriptures in prayer and fasting, and when he turned 34, he was ordained a priest in Antioch. 

During his ministry, he preached with unprecedented eloquence, for which he was called with the epithet Chrysostomos ("the golden-mouthed" in ancient Greek).

As archbishop, Saint John was a relentless denouncer of all lawlessness and vice, but this brought him many enemies. Among them was Empress Eudoxia who sent him into exile. On the way - after many hardships and sufferings, Saint John Chrysostom died in 407.