Saint John was surnamed Chrysostom (“Golden-mouth”) because of his eloquence. He made exhaustive commentaries on the divine Scriptures and was the author of more works than any other Church Father, leaving us complete commentaries on the Book of Genesis, the Gospels of Saints Matthew and John, the Acts, and all the Epistles of Saint Paul. His extant works are 1,447 sermons and 240 epistles.
John received his literary training under Anthragathius the philosopher, and Libanius the sophist, who was the greatest Greek scholar and rhetorician of his day. Libanius was a pagan, and when asked before his death whom he wished to have for his successor, he said, “John, had not the Christians stolen him from us.”
Obviolusly Libanus's wish was not fulfilled as John chose instead to dedicate himself to God as an ascetic hermit-monk. When his health gave way, he returned to Antioch and became an ordained deacon and later a priest. Over the next 12 years he established himself as a great preacher, and his homilies were well regarded. He was called to Constantinople to be its archbishop, much against his will.
During his time as bishop he adamantly refused to host lavish entertainments. This meant he was popular with the common people, but unpopular with the wealthy and the clergy. St. John was fearless when denouncing offences in high places. An alliance was soon formed against him by his enemies. They held a synod to charge John and eventually in his deposition and banishment.
The pope in Rome (Innocent I at this time) protested at this banishment, but to no avail. John wrote letters which still held great influence in Constantinople. As a result of this, he was further exiled to Pityus (on the eastern edge of the Black Sea). However, he never reached this destination, as he died during the journey. His final words were "Glory be to God for all things!"
Saint John was recognized as a Father of the Church at the Council of Chalcedon in 451 and declared a Doctor of the Church in 1568. When Crusaders sacked Constantinople in 1204, they stole John’s relics and carried them back to Rome. In 2004 Pope Saint John Paul II authorized the return of some of John’s remains to the seat of the Orthodox Patriarch in Saint George Church in present-day Istanbul, John’s own episcopal city. Saint John is a patron saint of preachers and speakers.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-John-Chrysostom
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