Saint John Damascene

[Saint John Damascene]
Also known as
Doctor of Christian Art
Jean Damascene
Johannes Damascenus
John Chrysorrhoas ("golden-stream")
John of Damascus
Memorial
27 March (Latin Church)
4 December (Greek Church)
Profile
Son of Mansur, representative of the Christians to the court of the Muslim caliph. Apparently thrived as a Christian in a Saracen land, becoming the chief financial officer for caliph Abdul Malek. Tutored in his youth by a captured Italian monk named Cosmas. Between the Christian learning of the monk, and that of the Muslim schools, John became highly educated in the classical fields (geometry, literature, logic, rhetoric, etc.).

Defended the use of icons and images in churches through a series of letters opposing the anti-icon decrees of Germanus, Patriarch of Constantinople. Legend says that Germanus plotted against him, and forged a letter in which John betrayed the caliph; the caliph ordered John's writing hand chopped off, but the Virgin Mary appeared and reattached the hand, a miracle which restored the caliph's faith in him.

After this incident, John became a monk near Jerusalem. Priest. Anathematized by name by the 754 Council of Constantinople over his defense of the use of icons, but defended by the 787 Seventh Council of Nicea.

Wrote The Fountain of Wisdom, the first real compendium of Christian theology, along with other works defending the orthodox faith, commentaries on Saint Paul, poetry, and hymns. Philospher. Orator; such an excellent speaker he was known as Chrysorrhoas ("golden-stream"). Last of the Greek Fathers of the Church, and the first of the Christian Aristotleans. Adapted choral music for use in the liturgy. Proclaimed a Doctor of the Church in 1890 by Pope Leo XIII.
Born
676 at Damascus, Syria
Died
749 of natural causes
Name Meaning
God is gracious; gift of God (John)
Images
Gallery of images of Saint John
Additional Information
New Catholic Dictionary
Catholic Encyclopedia
Catholic Online, by Terry Matz
Christian Biographies, by James Keifer
Columbia Encyclopedia
Google Directory
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia
Book of Saints, by the Monks of Ramsgate
Our Sunday Visitor's Encyclopedia of Saints, by Matthew Bunson, Margaret Bunson, and Stephen Bunson
Works
Collected Works
Barlaam and Ioasaph
Exposition of the Orthodox Faith
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Readings
Show me the icons that you venerate, that I may be able to understand your faith.

Saint John of Damascus
The saints must be honored as friends of Christ and children and heirs of God, as John the theologian and evangelist says: 'But as many as received him, he gave them the power to be made the sons of God....' Let us carefully observe the manner of life of all the apostles, martyrs, ascetics and just men who announced the coming of the Lord. And let us emulate their faith, charity, hope, zeal, life, patience under suffering, and perseverance unto death, so that we may also share their crowns of glory.

Saint John of Damascus, Exposition of the Orthodox Faith
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