1-156-607 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

'St John Chrysostom', c1470-1523. Born in Antioch, St John Chrysostom (c347-407), was reputedly one of the greatest of Christian preachers, for which he is known as the Golden Tongued. He was ordained Bishop of Constantinople in 398, but his concern for the poor and criticism of the excesses of the wealthy gained him enemies and in 403 a synod convened by Theophilus of Alexandria banished St John to Armenia. He died four years later en route to a more distant exile on the Black Sea. In 438 he was rehabilitated by the church and his body and relics were brought back to Constantinople.