Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

On November 13:

The Bulgarian Orthodox Church pays homage to Saint John Chrysostom

Byzantine mosaic of Saint John Chrysostom in the Church of Saint Sophia in Istanbul
Photo: bg.wikipedia.org

On November 13, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church pays homage to Saint John Chrysostom - one of the most prominent fathers and teachers of Christianity.

Saint John was born in Antioch, Syria in 347. After completing his studies in Athens, he returned to his hometown. At first he lived as an ascetic in the desert and studied the Holy Scriptures in prayer and fasting, and when he turned 34, he was ordained a priest in Antioch. 

During his ministry, he preached with unprecedented eloquence, for which he was called with the epithet Chrysostomos ("the golden-mouthed" in ancient Greek).

As archbishop, Saint John was a relentless denouncer of all lawlessness and vice, but this brought him many enemies. Among them was Empress Eudoxia who sent him into exile. On the way - after many hardships and sufferings, Saint John Chrysostom died in 407.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Bulgarian Orthodox Church marks start of ecclesiastical New Year on September 1

The New Church Year begins on September 1. The month of September is the seventh month of the year according to the Jewish calendar. It is associated with a number of biblical events, which is why it was designated as the beginning of the Church New..

published on 9/1/25 12:19 PM

In the footsteps of medieval monks – the hidden face of the Ivanovo Rock Monastery

High in the canyon of the Rusenski Lom River lies one of the most impressive spiritual centers of Bulgaria. It is a complex of dozens of rock-hewn cells, chapels and churches carved on both sides of the river , which came to life in the 13th century..

published on 8/31/25 11:35 AM

A liturgy was held on St. John Island near Sozopol for the first time in 500 years

For the first time in 500 years, the chants of the Divine Liturgy echoed through the ruins of the medieval monastery ''St. John the Baptist'' on St. John Island near Sozopol. The occasion was the commemoration of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist,..

published on 8/29/25 11:30 AM