Author Description

St. John Chrysostom, one of the greatest preachers and commentators in the entire Christian world, was the Patriarch of Constantinople from AD 398 to 407. His influential preaching and eloquence earned him the title "Chrysostom," meaning "The Golden Mouth." After suffering unspeakable persecution from the Empress and others who despised his unyielding uprightness, St. John was banished in AD 404 near the end of his life. It was from there, from the land of exile, that he composed this powerful, beautiful treatise. This he sent to his friend Olympia, a noble lady. Having endured harsh conditions, grievous illnesses, and being away from his flock, St. John bears witness to the power of Christianity-that no one can truly harm a man unless he injures himself.