Sacred Texts Christianity Early Church Fathers Index Previous Next
Chapter XXI.—John dies in Exile.
John taken into exile died in Comana on the Euxine, on the 14th of September, in the following p. 152 consulate, which was the seventh of Honorius, and the second of Theodosius. 893 A man, as we have before observed, 894 who on account of zeal for temperance was inclined rather to anger than forbearance: and his personal sanctity of character led him to indulge in a latitude of speech which to others was intolerable. Indeed, it is most inexplicable to me, how with a zeal so ardent for the practice of self-control and blamelessness of life, he should in his sermons appear to teach a loose view of temperance. For whereas by the Synod of bishops repentance was accepted but once from those who had sinned after baptism; he did not scruple to say, ‘Approach, although you may have repented a thousand times.’ 895 For this doctrine, many even of his friends censured him, but especially Sisinnius bishop of the Novatian; who wrote a book condemnatory of the above quoted expression of Chrysostom’s, and severely rebuked him for it. But this occurred long before. 896
These words are not found in any of Chrysostom’s extant homilies. There is no reason, however, for thinking that they were not uttered by him in a sermon now not in existence. Socrates’ remarks on Chrysostom’s attitude made here are among the considerations which have led some to think that he was a Novatian. Cf. Introd. p. x.
152:896For further particulars on Chrysostom’s life and the circumstances of his death, see authorities mentioned in chap. 2, note 3.