St. John Chrysostom Novena
Contents
Show HideSt. John Chrysostom was an archbishop who lived in the 300s-400s. He became a prominent figure of the early Church during his time as archbishop of Constantinople. He is still considered an important Early Church Father today.
St. John Chrysostom was particularly well-known for his eloquent preaching. You can use this novena to seek intercession from this holy archbishop in your life!
About St. John Chrysostom
St. John Chrysostom was born around the year 344. His parents were Christians, and they lived in Antioch. It is believed that his mother was a very virtuous woman. John’s father was a military officer of high rank, and it is believed that he died shortly after John’s birth.
John’s mother had connections to important people, so she was able to secure a prominent orator named Labanius as John’s tutor. Labanius instructed John in rhetoric. He also instilled in him a love for literature and Greek.
As John matured in age, his faith and devotion matured as well. He soon began to study theology under a bishop named Diodore of Tarsus.
John committed himself to asceticism and began to live as a hermit. He worked to memorize Scripture and practiced severe penances. As a result of his severe penances, his health began to suffer. His poor health forced him to return home to Antioch.
In 381, John was ordained a deacon. In 397 or 398, he was made archbishop of Constantinople. John soon became very popular because of his preaching, particularly his insightful preaching on practical applications of Scripture. His preaching showed a very different understanding of Scripture from what was common in his society. Rather than speaking in allegories, he applied Scripture to everyday life.
It was because of John’s preaching that he was given the name Chrysostom, which means “Golden-Mouthed.” John’s homilies were so powerful that he converted many pagans through them. On one occasion, his preaching even saved a city from angry pagans who wanted to wreak havoc and destruction.
During his early years as archbishop, John had many enemies. Some of these enemies were among the Church hierarchy, including the Patriarch of Alexandria. His most powerful enemy was Eudoxia, the wife of the emperor. She took John’s preaching against excess in feminine dress as aimed at herself.
Eudoxia banded together with some of John’s other enemies to have a pseudo-council called. At this pseudo-council, John was accused of false crimes. John was then sent into exile.
Despite suffering in exile, John remained peaceful and joyful. He knew that the Pope remained friendly to him and would do what he could to help John. John’s enemies were dissatisfied with his sufferings and had him banished further away to Pythius, which was the farthest point in the Empire.
Before he could reach the place of his exile, John died in 407.
St. John Chrysostom’s Feast Day: September 13th
Why Pray the St. John Chrysostom Novena?
St. John Chrysostom is the patron saint of preachers, orators, and lecturers. You can ask him to pray for you if you are a preacher, an orator, or a lecturer. You can also ask him to pray for someone you know who is a preacher, an orator, or a lecturer. Additionally, you can ask him to pray for you if you are preparing to give a speech or presentation.
St. John Chrysostom is also the patron saint of education. You can seek his intercession if you work in education. You can also ask him to pray for someone you know who works in education.
You can pray the St. John Chrysostom Novena for any intention!
St. John Chrysostom Novena Prayers
St. John Chrysostom Novena - Day 1
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. John Chrysostom as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You he showed throughout his life, from the time of his childhood.
St. John Chrysostom, little is known for certain about your childhood. But your parents were Christians, and it is believed that your mother was a very virtuous woman. She must have greatly influenced you, as you began on the path to holiness.
Please bring my petitions before the throne of God!
You continued on the path to holiness as you grew older. You became a priest and an archbishop, doing a lot of good work for the Church.
Pray for me, that I may be as eager to serve God as you were. Pray that I may do all I can to devote myself to God.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. John Chrysostom, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. John Chrysostom Novena - Day 2
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. John Chrysostom as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You he showed from the time he was a student as a young man.
St. John Chrysostom, you studied rhetoric, Greek, and literature from the time you were a young man. As your faith began to mature, you started to pursue the study of theology and to devote yourself to serving God.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you served so devotedly!
You were ordained a priest and an archbishop. You continued your study of Scripture and converted many through your preaching.
Pray for me, that I may always be eager to learn more about God. Pray that I may be open to serving God in whatever ways He calls me to.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. John Chrysostom, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. John Chrysostom Novena - Day 3
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. John Chrysostom as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the virtue he showed in the severe penances he practiced out of love for You.
St. John Chrysostom, you committed yourself to asceticism and lived as a hermit for some time. You chose to live in this uncomfortable fashion out of a deep love for God.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you loved so deeply!
Your penances were so severe that your health began to suffer. Your poor health forced you to cease living as a hermit and return to Antioch, but you continued to do all you could to serve God.
Pray for me, that I may serve God as wholeheartedly as you did. Pray that I may grow in a holy spirit of penance each day.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. John Chrysostom, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. John Chrysostom Novena - Day 4
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. John Chrysostom as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You he showed in his devoted service as an archbishop.
St. John Chrysostom, you were made archbishop of Constantinople during the early years of the Church. Your work in the early Church was very important in the growth of Christianity.
Please continue to bring my petitions before the throne of God!
As archbishop, you cared deeply for the needs of your flock. You devoted yourself to practical preaching and were able to bring many to conversion.
Pray for me, that I may always be eager to bring other souls closer to God at every opportunity. Pray that I may be ready and willing to serve God in whatever ways He might call me to.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. John Chrysostom, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. John Chrysostom Novena - Day 5
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. John Chrysostom as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You he showed through his years of holy preaching.
St. John Chrysostom, you were given the name “Golden-Mouthed” because of your eloquent preaching. You became very popular because of your preaching, and you worked to bring many souls to God through this work.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you served with such devotion!
You were able to help convert many pagans through your preaching. On one occasion, your preaching even persuaded some violent men to spare the city from destruction.
Pray for me, that I may always be eager to preach the Good News to others around me. Pray that I may be as devoted a servant of God as you were.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. John Chrysostom, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. John Chrysostom Novena - Day 6
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. John Chrysostom as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You he showed through his work studying and interpreting Scripture.
St. John Chrysostom, you were well-known for your eloquent preaching. You spoke of Scripture in ways that many people had not heard before, as you worked to bring your people closer to God.
Please bring my petitions before God Whom you served so diligently!
Your preaching applied the lessons found in Scripture to everyday life. Your preaching on Scripture moved many to deeper love of God and conversion.
Pray for me, that I may grow in my love for Scripture each day. Pray that I may always make holy use of the Word of God as I work to grow closer to God.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. John Chrysostom, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. John Chrysostom Novena - Day 7
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. John Chrysostom as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the virtue he showed in holding fast to his Faith amidst the sufferings of false accusation.
St. John Chrysostom, you had many enemies during your early years as archbishop of Contantinople. Some of your powerful enemies were determined to undermine your holy work, but you continued to serve God faithfully.
Please continue to bring my petitions before the throne of God!
When your enemies arranged for a pseudo-council to be called and accused you of false crimes there, you were sent into exile. Despite these suffering, you never wavered in your commitment to doing God’s will.
Pray for me, that I may never waver in my Faith, no matter what trials I might face. Pray that I may never weary of doing God’s will no matter how difficult it might be.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. John Chrysostom, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. John Chrysostom Novena - Day 8
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. John Chrysostom as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the devotion to You he showed throughout the trial of being exiled for false crimes.
St. John Chrysostom, your powerful enemies accused you of false crimes at a pseudo-council. They ensured that you were exiled from your home for these false crimes, but you never wavered in your commitment to God and His Church.
Please never waver in bringing my petitions before God!
Despite your sufferings in exile, you remained joyful and at peace. Even though your enemies decided to have you sent farther into exile, you continued serving God until your death.
Pray for me, that I may never waver in my commitment to God. Pray that I may serve God as faithfully as you did.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. John Chrysostom, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
St. John Chrysostom Novena - Day 9
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Dear Lord, we thank You for giving us St. John Chrysostom as an example of holiness. Help us to imitate the love of You he showed in his lifetime of faithful service to your Church.
St. John Chrysostom, you became known as “Golden-Mouthed” because of your eloquent preaching. Your preaching and your work as an archbishop brought many closer to God.
Please continue to bring my petitions before God Whose Church you served!
You worked faithfully to serve God’s Church throughout many years of your life. Even when your enemies had you exiled, you never ceased doing all you could to serve God.
Pray for me, that I may be as faithful a servant of God as you were. Pray that I may never waver in my commitment to God and His Church, no matter what trials I might face.
Please also pray for (mention your intentions here).
St. John Chrysostom, pray for us!
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.