St. John of Damascus - 00STJD01

Feast Day/Commemorated: December 4

Early Life and Defense Against Iconoclasm

Saint John of Damascus was born around 680 AD in Damascus, Syria, into a prominent Christian family. His father, Sergius Mansur, served as a treasurer at the Caliph's court. John and his foster brother, Cosmas, received an exceptional education from the learned monk Cosmas of Calabria, whom their father had ransomed. After his father's death, John succeeded him in ministerial roles, eventually becoming city prefect. During this time, the heresy of Iconoclasm gained traction in Constantinople, supported by Emperor Leo III the Isaurian. In staunch defense of the Orthodox veneration of icons, Saint John penned three powerful treatises, "Against Those who Revile the Holy Icons." These God-inspired writings enraged the emperor, who, unable to imprison or execute John due to his non-Byzantine citizenship, resorted to a malicious slander campaign.

The Miracle of the Severed Hand and the Icon of the Three Hands

Emperor Leo III fabricated a letter, supposedly from John, offering to help the emperor conquer Damascus, and sent it to the Saracen Caliph along with a hypocritically flattering note. The Caliph, deceived, immediately ordered John's removal from office, the severing of his right hand, and his public shaming in chains. That same evening, John's severed hand was returned to him. In profound faith, he pressed it to his wrist and prayed fervently to the Most Holy Theotokos for healing, so he could continue to defend Orthodoxy and praise the Virgin and her Son. Falling asleep before an icon of the Mother of God, he heard her voice confirming his healing and commanding him to toil unceasingly with his restored hand. Upon waking, his hand was reattached, leaving only a small red mark as a testament to the miracle. In thanksgiving, Saint John later adorned the icon with a silver model of his hand, leading to its renowned title, "Of the Three Hands," commemorated on June 28 and July 12.

Monastic Life, Humility, and Literary Gifts

When the Caliph learned of the miracle and John's innocence, he offered to reinstate him, but the saint refused. Giving away his vast riches to the poor, John journeyed to Jerusalem with his stepbrother Cosmas and entered the Monastery of Saint Savva the Sanctified as a simple novice. His profound learning and former status made it difficult to find a spiritual guide, until an experienced Elder, dedicated to fostering obedience and humility, accepted him. This Elder subjected John to rigorous tests, including forbidding him from writing and commanding him to sell monastery baskets at an inflated price in Damascus, where he was unrecognized due to his ascetic appearance. Despite these trials, John remained obedient. When a monk died, John, out of compassion, broke his obedience and composed his famous funeral troparia ("What earthly delight," "All human vanity"), for which the Elder banished him until commanded by the Theotokos in a vision to allow John to write again.

Return to Writing and Defense of Orthodoxy

Following the Elder's severe penance of cleaning monastery latrines with his bare hands – a task John eagerly undertook with joy and humility – the Elder was instructed by the Theotokos to allow John to resume writing. News of Saint John's spiritual gifts and restored hand reached the Patriarch of Jerusalem, who ordained him a priest and appointed him a preacher at his cathedral. However, Saint John soon returned to the Lavra of Saint Savva, preferring the monastic life. He dedicated the remainder of his days to composing spiritual books and church hymns, further cementing his legacy as a profound theologian and hymnographer. His deep commitment to Orthodoxy led him to leave the monastery only once more, to vehemently denounce the iconoclasts at the Constantinople Council of 754.

Enduring Legacy as Theologian and Hymnographer

At the Council, Saint John courageously endured imprisonment and torture for his defense of icons, but miraculously survived through God's mercy. He reposed in about 780 AD, living to be over 100 years old. Saint John of Damascus is celebrated as a brilliant theologian and a zealous defender of Orthodox faith, particularly against Iconoclasm. His most significant theological work, the "Fount of Knowledge," includes "On the Orthodox Faith," a comprehensive summary of Orthodox doctrine and a refutation of heresies. As a renowned hymnographer, he is revered as a patron saint for church singers, and is often invoked for aid in the study of church music, reflecting his monumental contributions to both Orthodox theology and liturgical hymnody.

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