The Time of Saint John Chrysostom
John Chrysostom lived in the late 4th century, when the Roman Empire had already accepted Christianity. By then, religion and politics weren’t just neighbors—they were housemates. The Church was closely tied to the State, and bishops often found themselves dealing with emperors, empresses, and royal advisers.
Chrysostom—“Golden-Mouthed” in Greek, not John’s last name but a title given for his strong speaking— became Archbishop of Constantinople (the empire’s capital city). His sermons weren’t just about the afterlife; they cut into the sins of the present—greed, pride, and corruption in high places. He spoke against wealth in the court while the poor suffered outside its gates. He called out bad behavior, even when it meant offending powerful people like Empress Eudoxia (wife of Emperor Arcadius, ruler of the Eastern Roman Empire).
And here’s the point: corruption existed then just as it does now. Riches, power, and comfort tempted leaders to forget fairness. Archbishop Chrysostom couldn’t keep faith away from public life, because silence in the face of wrong would have been a betrayal of the Gospel. His role as shepherd of souls pushed him into the public spotlight, whether he wanted it or not.
In the end, he paid the price—sent away, mistreated, and left alone. But his courage left a legacy: a reminder that faith has a voice in society, not for power’s sake, but for truth.
As we remember Saint John Chrysostom on his memorial day, September 13, we see that the fight remains the same. The world is still marked by corruption. And maybe this is the answer: when religion is used for control, it should never mix with politics. But when it speaks against injustice and defends the poor, it cannot stay out. The question he faced is the same we ask today: should politics and religion mix?
𝚃𝚢𝚙𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝙾𝚞𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙱𝚕𝚞𝚎 • 𝖽𝖺𝗋𝖾𝗆.𝗆𝗎𝗌𝗂𝖼.𝖻𝗅𝗈𝗀
Politics and Religion: Should They Mix?
In Chrysostom’s time, faith clashed with power. Remembering him today, we still ask: should politics and religion mix?
