St. John, named Chrysostom (golden-mouthed) on account of his eloquence, came into the world of Christian parents, about the year 344, in the city of Antioch. His mother, at the age of 20, was a model of virtue. He studied rhetoric under Libanius, a pagan, the most famous orator of the age.
In 374, he began to lead the life of an anchorite in the mountains near Antioch, but in 386 the poor state of his health forced him to return to Antioch, where he was ordained a priest.

Throughout his ministry he experienced sufferings and like the apostle, St. Paul, whom he so greatly admired, he found the greatest peace and happiness. He also had to face opposition and not everyone liked what he was doing. He had the consolation of knowing that the Pope remained his friend, and did for him what lay in his power. His enemies banished him still further, to Pythius, at the very extremity of the Empire. He died on his way there on September 14, 407.