CONQUEROR OF THE SOUL Moments and Miracles

 


Prologue 

Alexander the Great was a conqueror; he ruled over the known world. However, he conquered it with weapons and an army, by defeating his enemies.
Saint John Chrysostom was also a conqueror; greater than Alexander the Great. He conquered souls, not with weapons and armies but with love as his only weapon.
We shall see this unfold.

George I, Patriarch of Alexandria (7th century), authored the work: “Exegesis, namely, the Life, Conduct, and Miracles of our Holy Father, Ecumenical Teacher, and Archbishop John Chrysostom”. It contains unknown and fascinating details about the life of Saint John.
It was published for the first time (text and translation) by the current professor of the University of Thessaly, Mr. Sotirios Balatsoukas (Trikala, 2016, pp. 568).
This work serves as a primary source for our book.

A SEGMENT OF A CHAPTER
Part A

2. John shocked Athens

(...). With his mother’s “blessing” (since his father had passed away), he went to Athens to study. His performance in his studies was so impressive that it caused the admiration of the Athenians. 

“Who was this person who gave this gift to this foreigner?”, the Athenians were discussing among themselves.However, his stay in Athens was marked by the following incident, which “shocked” the Athenians.
The Mayor of Athens, named Demosthenes, who was a Christian, once organized a meeting of wise scholars. Having heard of John, he sent a carriage to bring him to the assembly. However, John refused such an honor and chose to walk there instead.
Upon entering the hall, the Mayor and the attendees stood up to welcome him. John greeted them with a simple nod, as was customary at the time.

(...) Among the attendees was a pagan philosopher named Anthemios, a devoted follower of Athena and Dionysus. He was highly regarded among the Athenians for his wisdom. However, seeing the honor that the Mayor bestowed upon John, Anthemios was filled with envy and anger. (...).
John: Anthemios, are you so wise that you attack me in anger? Have I wronged you in any way? I did not come here to boast of my knowledge but to speak about Christ, who has taught us to live humbly.
Mayor: There is no connection between the teachings of Christ and those of the twelve gods.
John: Exactly! The twelve gods teach corruption and immorality; their myths are meaningless and, in some cases, even laughable. Their doctrines were established by the work of demons, whereas Christian teaching comes from the true God. Mayor: Anthemios, on one hand, you present the gods as abominations, and on the other, you claim to worship them. Is it right to speak in such contradictions?
Anthemios: John has achieved such greatness thanks to Athena’s help! Instead of showing gratitude to our gods, he insults them!
    (...). Suddenly, Anthemios fell to the ground, convulsing. He foamed at the mouth as if possessed. Some fled in fear, while others pleaded with the young John to pray for him.
John: Anthemios has blasphemed against Christ with his beliefs. He must repent for Christ to heal him.
Anthemios: I believe in the God that John believes in! At these words, the demon left him, and Anthemios stood up, completely healed. The assembly exclaimed, “Great is the God of the Christians! What god can do such things?” Even the pagans admitted, “We are deceived, believing in gods who can do nothing!”
John: Anthemios, why did Athena, Artemis, Zeus, and the others not help you? You suffered because you refused to believe in the true God.
Anthemios: What must I do to be saved?
John: Go to the Bishop.
Anthemios went to the Bishop with his wife, children, and servants, and they were all baptized.

The Bishop of Athens was very old at the time, and upon hearing of John’s wisdom, he wished to appoint him as his successor. However, John secretly left Athens and returned to Antioch.


  CONTENTS 

    PART A
    1. His childhood   
    2. John shocked Athens.  
    3. Monk and Miracles.      


    PART B
    1. Priest in Antioch   
    2. Antioch Revolts
    3. The Weapon of Love 4. The Weapon of Speech.
    5. John and the rich
     
    PART C
    1. Archbishop of Constantinople .
    2. Eudoxia and John.
    3. The Exile of John
    4. John returns to Constantinople
    5. Second Exile.
    6. The end of John.
    7. The end of his enemies.
    8. “Peace to Eudoxia”.
     
    EPILOGUE
    The Clergy is not the Church


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