Saint John of Damascus

Saint John of Damascus was a monk, priest, and writer. He lived in the 7th and 8th centuries. He is also known as John Damascene. He is remembered for writing about God, the Church, and the use of icons. Icons are pictures that help people pray and think about Jesus and the saints.

John was born in the city of Damascus. At that time, Damascus was under Muslim rule. Even though the city was not Christian, John and his family were able to practice their faith. His father worked for the government and helped both Christians and Muslims.

John is one of the most important early Christian writers. His books helped explain the faith clearly. He wrote about Jesus, Mary, and the teachings of the Church. He also helped people understand the sacraments and the Bible.

One of his most famous works is called The Fountain of Knowledge. In it, he wrote about what the Church believes. Many people used his writing to learn about the faith. His words helped guide the Church for many years.

Today, both the Catholic and Orthodox Churches honor him. He is known as a Doctor of the Church in the Catholic tradition. That means his teachings are important and helpful for everyone.

John was born around the year 675. He was born into a wealthy Christian family. His family served in the court of the Muslim rulers of Damascus. This gave John a good education and access to books and teachers.

His father made sure he had the best learning possible. John learned Greek, Arabic, and probably other languages too. He studied math, music, and philosophy. He also studied the Bible and Christian teachings.

It is said that his father hired a monk from Italy to teach John. This monk had been taken as a prisoner but later became a free man. His name was Cosmas. He taught John and also became a close friend to the family.

John grew up in a world where Christians were not in charge. But his family still lived their faith. They helped others and supported the Christian community in Damascus.

Because of his family’s job, John worked in the government too. But over time, he felt called to leave that life behind. He wanted to give his life fully to God.

John left public life and became a monk. He went to the Monastery of Saint Sabbas near Jerusalem. It was a quiet place where he could pray and write. He stayed there for the rest of his life.

As a monk, he spent time in prayer, fasting, and study. He also helped teach other monks and people nearby. He wrote hymns, sermons, and books. Many of his hymns are still sung in churches today.

He became a priest later in life. He helped lead the Christian community through his words and example. Even though he lived in a monastery, his writings reached many people far away.

John wanted to help people understand their faith. He used simple ideas and clear words. His writings were not just for monks. They were for everyone.

He also wrote about Mary, the mother of Jesus. He called her “Mother of God,” which the Church teaches. He believed Mary played a special role in God’s plan.

One of the biggest things John did was defend the use of icons. Some people in the Church said it was wrong to use pictures of Jesus or the saints. They thought it was like worshiping the pictures.

John said that was not true. He said that Jesus became human, so it was okay to show his human face. Icons helped people pray and remember the life of Jesus and the saints.

He wrote many letters and sermons to defend this. Even though he lived in a land ruled by Muslims, his writings were read in Christian places. Many people in the Church agreed with him.

Because of this, John became known as a strong voice for the truth. His writings helped stop the fight over icons. The Church later said that using icons is good and helpful.

He was not punished by the Muslim rulers for his writing. He lived in peace in his monastery and kept teaching and writing until he died.

Saint John of Damascus died around the year 749. Many people already saw him as a holy man. He lived a life of prayer, teaching, and service. His writings were copied and shared for many years.

The Catholic Church later named him a saint. He was also named a Doctor of the Church. This means the Church sees his teachings as very helpful for understanding the faith.

His feast day is December 4. On this day, people remember his life and works. Churches may sing his hymns or read his writings during prayer.

John is the patron saint of icon painters and Christians in Muslim lands. He is also a patron for people who defend the truth of the faith. His life shows that faith and reason can work together.

He is honored in both the Catholic Church and the Orthodox Church. His teachings helped bring the two closer, even though they are not united.

Saint John of Damascus still helps the Church today through his clear teaching and faithful life.

Writings: The Fount of Knowledge- The Philosophical Chapters, on Heresies, the Orthodox Faith

The Fount of Knowledge by Saint John of Damascus is a book that explains the Christian faith in a clear way. It includes three main parts: basic ideas about thinking and reason, a list of false teachings, and a full summary of what the Church believes. The last part, On the Orthodox Faith, is the most well-known. It brings together the teachings of early Christian leaders in the East. This book helped many people understand the faith better. The translation used in this edition was done by trusted scholars and is easy to follow.