The Danger of Preaching

Saint John Chrysostom confronting the Empress Eudoxia by Jean Paul Laurens (1893) Today, January 27, the Church remembers one of the greatest preachers the world has ever known, St. John Chrysostom — Bishop, Theologian, and Preacher. John was born in Antioch around 347 A.D. Instructed in the Faith by his pious mother, Anthusa, he became a dominant figure in the fourth-century.

So exceptional was his skill in preaching that he was named “Chrysostom” by his hearers. In Greek, it means “Golden Mouth.” Congregations were spellbound when he spoke and moved to applause. John even demanded that applause be forbidden, given its undue attention toward the preacher instead of Christ, but that just brought more applause. Chrysostm’s preaching exhibited a pastoral tenderness in terms of his presentation of the Gospel, but not without a blunt and harsh toughness when it came to denouncing sin and worldly ways. It was the latter that made enemies.

For Chrysostom was unafraid to preach against sin and injustice no matter whom it upset. He railed against the abuses and corruption of power found in both ecclesiastical and political authority, and accosted everyone without regard to their position, even when such moral depravity was found among the ruling class.

At the beginning of the fifth century the Empress Eudoxia wielded great power and thirsted for more. She openly despised her husband and was known to indulge in her passions. Not content with ruling the Roman Empire, she longed to receive the honors of semi-divinity as well and so in September of the year 403 A.D., Eudoxia had a silver statue erected on the forum before the church. She had it dedicated amid boisterous and licentious revelry, which disturbed the services held within the church.

It was on the commemoration day of the martyrdom of St. John the Baptist when Chrysostom took the pulpit and thundered his righteous indignation against all who shared in these profane amusements. The painting above depicts the scene. It shows Chrysostom turning from the congregation toward the Empress Eudoxia. It is said that in the heat of his zeal he compared Eudoxia to Herodias and John the Baptist to himself, saying, “Again Herodias is raging, again she is dancing, again she demands the head of John on a platter.” This was after he had already alluded to her being Jezebel.

Apparently, there was an exchange later on, though I am unsure of the validity of it, where Eudoxia threatened Chrysostom with banishment:

“You cannot banish me, for this world is my Father’s house,” said John. “But I will kill you,” the Empress said. “No, you cannot, for my life is hid with Christ in God.” “I will take away your treasures,” said Eudoxia. “No, you cannot, for my treasure is in heaven and my heart is there.” “But I will drive you away from your friends and you will have no one left,” Eudoxia responded. “No, you cannot,” said John, “for I have a Friend in heaven from whom you cannot separate me. I defy you. For there is nothing you can do to harm me.” In the end, trumped up charges were brought against Chrysostom, forcing him into exile. Still his courage and candor earned him the reputation as a great and faithful preacher that is highly respected to this day. But in his day, John’s only reward was exile and death. Knowing this, he said in his final sermon:

“The waters are raging, and the winds are blowing, but I have no fear for I stand firmly upon a rock. What am I to fear? Is it death? Life to me means Christ, and death is gain. Is it exile? The earth and everything it holds belongs to the Lord. Is it loss of property? I brought nothing into this world, and I will bring nothing out of it. I have only contempt for the world and its ways, and I scorn its honors.”

It is a dangerous thing to preach the word of God to sinful men as we are. May all pastors of Christ’s Church be given both the wisdom and courage needed for the task they’ve been given, and in the end, repeat with Chrysostom in his last words, “Glory to God for all things! Amen.”

Almighty God, who gave Your servant John Chrysostom the grace to proclaim eloquently Your righteousness to fallen men, and fearlessly to bear reproach for the honor of Your Name, mercifully grant to all bishops and pastors such excellency in preaching and faithfulness in ministering Your Word, that Your people shall be partakers with them of the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.