March 27
Saints of the Day

2005: Easter
 

Saint John Damascene, 676-749, Doctor of Christian Art; Jean Damascene; Johannes Damascenus; John Chrysorrhoas ("golden-stream"); John of Damascus

    Born in Damascus, Syria, the 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.

 

    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.

 

    Defended the use of icons and images in churches through a series of letters opposing the anti-icon decrees of Germanus, Patriarch of Constantinople.
    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").

 

Works

Collected Works
Barlaam and Ioasaph
Exposition of the Orthodox Faith

Images Gallery of images of Saint John [15 images, 255 kb]
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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

http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/saintj45.htm