“A golden-mouthed saint” is quite a title to live up to. Yet, Aranyszájú Szent János-templom stands as a testament to the legacy of Saint John Chrysostom. He earned this epithet for his exceptional eloquence. This church bears his name with pride.
Let’s step back in time. Saint John Chrysostom lived from 344/347 to 407. He was born in Antioch, now part of Turkey. Born into an aristocratic family he was a student of Libaniosz. Libaniosz was the greatest pagan orator of that era.
At eighteen, John was baptized. He studied rhetoric and prepared to be a lawyer. After his mother’s death, he embraced an ascetic life. He even considered living as a hermit. But the Patriarch of Antioch wanted him to become a bishop. In the mountains near Antioch, he wrote “On the Priesthood.” This work reflected his ideals for priests. He wanted them to live with holiness and wisdom.
After his baptism, he retreated to the nearby mountains. He began a solitary life of prayer. Later, realizing he could not escape society’s problems, he returned to Antioch. In 386, he was ordained as a priest. By 397, despite his protests, he was chosen as the Archbishop of Constantinople. He served as bishop for six years until 404.
During his tenure, he implemented significant reforms. He founded hospitals and charitable institutions. He organized a separate clergy for the Goths in the city. However, he opposed Arianism. He played a key role in the revolt against Gainas. Gainas was a Gothic chief commander. His uncompromising stance led to conflict. Part of the clergy and the empress turned against him. He was first exiled to Armenia. Because he continued to correspond with his followers, he was forced to the northeastern coast of the Black Sea. He died en route.
Since the 13th century, his feast day was January 27. This day marked the transfer of his relics to Constantinople. In 1969, it was moved to September 13. He is often depicted with Saint Basil the Great and Saint Gregory of Nazianzus. They are shown in Greek bishop attire with high foreheads and short beards. They often hold a book or scroll.
His writings are extensive. Nearly twenty theoretical works address everyday issues. These include marriage ethics and the ascetic life. His speeches number over a thousand. Many remain unpublished. Recent decades have revealed more of his works. These writings explain biblical passages. They discuss holidays and rituals. They recall martyrs and church leaders. They also address social injustices. His speeches are valuable from a cultural history perspective. His 236 surviving letters are too.
The adjective “Chrysostom” attached to his name from the 6th century. It means “golden-mouthed”. This reflected the purity and richness of his language. He connected biblical texts to the lives of ordinary people. He emphasized shared participation and the importance of work. He advocated for the freedom of slaves. He urged the sharing of goods individually and communally. He viewed solidarity almost as a sacrament.
Now, consider the Kispest district. Here stands another Aranyszájú Szent János-templom. This is a Greek Catholic church. It was consecrated in 1948. The iconostasis features icons of Saint Nicholas of Myra and Saint John Chrysostom. Dr. Latorcainé Újházi Aranka created the iconostasis in 1999. A large mural of Pantokrator adorns the wall behind the altar. Szocska Ábel, a former parish priest of Kispest, painted it. This small church is Budapest’s third oldest.
Aranyszájú Szent János’s life inspires us to speak with wisdom. His words encourage us to act with compassion. May this Aranyszájú Szent János-templom remind us of his enduring message.”