A special church holiday on November 26 is St. John Chrysostom: a powerful prayer to the saint

St. John Chrysostom is one of the greatest spiritual teachers of the Orthodox Church, whose eloquent preaching and deep theology have educated many generations of believers. His memorial Day is celebrated on November 26, 2025 and is an important event for Orthodox Christians who turn their prayers to the saint asking for support and enlightenment. For more information about who St. John Chrysostom helps and what prayer can be addressed to him, see the Izvestia article.

The Life of John Chrysostom

St. John Chrysostom was born around the year 347 in Antioch in the family of a military commander. Having lost his father early, he was raised by his mother, who carefully guided her son to the path of Christian piety. In his youth, John studied with the best philosophers and rhetoricians, such as Libanius, and soon turned to the deepest study of the Holy Scriptures.

In 367, he was baptized and soon ordained a reader, and after a long period of seclusion and monastic life, he became a priest. His sermon brought him fame — for his brilliant eloquence he was nicknamed "Chrysostom" — "the golden-eloquent".

In 398, John became Archbishop of Constantinople. He actively fought against injustice, denounced the vices of the nobility and took care of the poor, for which he gained many enemies, including even Empress Evdoksia. The exile and suffering ended with the death of the saint in 407, after which he was glorified as a saint.

The significance of St. John Chrysostom Memorial Day

St. John Chrysostom Memorial Day is celebrated annually on November 26. It is a time for prayer, thanksgiving, spiritual renewal and repentance. Believers visit churches on this day, participate in divine services, remembering the feat of the saint, and strive to learn his lessons of humility and love for Christ.

Who does John Chrysostom help?

The saint is considered the patron saint of preachers, teachers and all those who strive for spiritual wisdom. His prayer helps to strengthen faith, find inner peace and strength in trials. The special intercession of the saint is felt by those who need spiritual enlightenment, help in difficult life circumstances, and healing of the soul and body.

How to read prayer correctly

The best time to read a prayer to St. John Chrysostom is in the morning or evening in silence and concentration. Prayer should be read with sincerity and faith, you can light a candle in front of the icon of the saint, paying inner attention to the words and passing through the soul every appeal and request.

Full prayer to St. John Chrysostom

Prayer to St. John Chrysostom is a special spiritual conversion that helps strengthen faith and receive the intercession of the saint before the Lord. To read such a prayer correctly means to be attuned to deep respect and living communion with God through the holy intercessor.

Prayer to St. John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople

"O great Saint John Chrysostom!

You have received many and various gifts from the Lord, and as a good and faithful servant, you have multiplied all the talents given to you.:

For this reason you were truly an ecumenical teacher, for every age and every title is derived from you.

For thou didst appear as a boy of obedience, a luminary of chastity to the young, and a mentor of diligence to the husband,

A teacher of kindness for the old, a rule of abstinence for the monk, an inspired leader for those who pray, an educator for those who seek wisdom, and an inexhaustible source for the well—spoken.,

To those who do good, there is a star of mercy, to those who rule, an image of wise government, to those who are zealous, an inspirer of boldness, and to those who are persecuted, a mentor of patience.:

You were everything to everyone, and you saved everyone.

Lord, do not deprive me of Your heavenly blessings.

Lord, deliver me from eternal torment.

Lord, whether I have sinned in mind or thought, in word or deed, forgive me.

O Lord, deliver me from all ignorance and forgetfulness, and cowardice, and petrified insensitivity.

Lord, deliver me from every temptation.

Lord, enlighten my heart, and darken the evil lust.

Lord, because man has sinned, but You, because God is Generous, have mercy on me, seeing the weakness of my soul.

Lord, send Your grace to help me, so that I may glorify Your holy name.

Lord Jesus Christ, write me Your servant in the book of life and grant me a good end.

O Lord my God, if I have done nothing good in Your sight, grant me by Your grace to make a good beginning.

O Lord, sprinkle the dew of Your grace in my heart.

O Lord of heaven and earth, remember me, Your sinful servant, unclean and unclean, in Your kingdom. Amen to that."

It is important to read this prayer with reverence, trying to fill the heart with humility and faith. According to the priests, this is what helps to strengthen the spiritual connection with John Chrysostom, who is a source of peace and support for everyone.