John Chrysostom (c. 347-407) was a Greek-speaking Christian preacher from Antioch who became archbishop of Constantinople. His eloquence earned the later title Chrysostom, or golden-mouthed. He was admired for moral intensity, biblical exposition, and social criticism, but his conflicts with imperial and ecclesiastical power led to exile.
Homilies on the Statues records Chrysostom preaching to Antioch during a civic emergency in 387. After unpopular imperial taxes provoked unrest, a crowd in Antioch insulted and damaged statues of Emperor Theodosius and his family.
