Sermons on the Life of Christ

Popular Patristics Series #3

by John Chrysostom, Robert G. T. Edwards (Translator)

St John Chrysostom (c. 347–407) is one of the greatest preachers in the history of the Church. This collection brings together nine of his sermons on the saving events of Christ's life, preached on particular one on Christmas (On the Day of Christ’s Birth), one on Theophany (On the Baptism of Christ), one on Holy Thursday (On the Betrayal of Judas), two on Great and Holy Friday (On the Cross and the Thief and On the Cemetery and the Cross), one on Pascha (Against Drunkenness and on the Resurrection), one On the Ascension, and one On Pentecost. More than sixteen hundred years after these sermons were first delivered, we can still enter more fully into the life of Christ through the powerful preaching of the Golden Mouth.

225 pages, Paperback

Published April 28, 2025

About the author

John Chrysostom (c. 347–407, Greek: Ἰωάννης ὁ Χρυσόστομος), Archbishop of Constantinople, was an important Early Church Father. He is known for his eloquence in preaching and public speaking, his denunciation of abuse of authority by both ecclesiastical and political leaders, the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, and his ascetic sensibilities. After his death in 407 (or, according to some sources, during his life) he was given the Greek epithet chrysostomos, meaning "golden mouthed", in English and Anglicized to Chrysostom.

The Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches honor him as a saint and count him among the Three Holy Hierarchs, together with Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzus. He is recognized by the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church as a saint and as a Doctor of the Church. Churches of the Western tradition, including the Roman Catholic Church, some Anglican provinces, and parts of the Lutheran Church, commemorate him on 13 September. Some Lutheran and many Anglican provinces commemorate him on the traditional Eastern feast day of 27 January. The Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria also recognizes John Chrysostom as a saint (with feast days on 16 Thout and 17 Hathor).

John is known in Christianity chiefly as a preacher, theologian and liturgist. Among his homilies, eight directed against Judaizing Christians remain controversial for their impact on the development of Christian antisemitism.

Reviews

[Ted · Rating 3 out of 5]

St John is often a moralist, and in this collection of sermons he spends some time admonishing his flock for their lukewarm attitude for the Church and its services.

[Georgio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whilst this is not a mind blowing interpretation of the Scriptures, St. John's homilies often have a moralist direction, in which he instructs the faithful of the Church of Antioch in the faith. I particularly liked his emphasis on the Good Thief.