St. John of Damascus: what you need to know about this saint. Orthodox electronic library John of Damascus Orthodox encyclopedia

Arab. يوحنا الدمشقي‎ Yuhanna ad-Dimashki; Greek Ἰωάννης ὁ Δαμασκηνός; lat. Johannes Damascenus- John from Damascus; also known as Greek. ὁ Χρυσορρόας, that is, “golden stream”; born (Arabic: منصور بن سرجون التغلبي‎)

Christian saint, revered among the saints, one of the Church Fathers, theologian, philosopher and hymnographer

OK. 675 - approx. 753 (or 780)

Brief biography

(name given at birth - Mansur ibn Serjun At-Taghlibi) - the most famous Byzantine theologian, one of the Fathers of the Church, Christian saint, philosopher, poet, hymnographer - was born in the Arab Caliphate, Damascus, around 675. He was the scion of an Arab Christian noble and a wealthy family. His father served as a minister under the Caliph Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan, and this position was later taken by his son John. The education that the children in this family received was diverse, truly encyclopedic for that time, including the study of mathematics, philosophy, music, astronomy, etc.

The biography of John of Damascus does not contain the exact date of his tonsure as a monk; perhaps it was around 706 or in the 10s; it is possible that he was ordained a priest. Since then, his life has been connected with the monastery of St. Sava, located near Jerusalem.

John of Damascus was not just an extraordinary person - his talents were distinguished by their versatility. He is credited with creating the foundations of scholastic methodology, which was later developed by Western medieval theologians. But his scientific and spiritual heritage does not end there. Being a great poet not only of Byzantium, but also of the rest of the Christian world, he acted as the author of the most famous church hymns, which have not lost their beauty, wisdom, and soul-saving power to this day. His pen includes canons on Easter, Christmas, some other holidays, and sermons on the Virgin Mary. The first church musical system was also created by John of Damascus, who was not devoid of musical abilities.

His main theological work is “The Source of Knowledge,” consisting of three sections - philosophical, accusatory and dogmatic. The significance of this fundamental work, systematizing Christian teaching, for future theologians is difficult to overestimate. It has still not lost its relevance and is one of the main sources of the foundations of the Christian faith for the Orthodox Church.

John of Damascus was a staunch opponent of iconoclasm; The theory of the Sacred Image he created formed the basis for the subsequent canonization of icon painting. A dramatic episode of his life is associated with one of the icons. By order of the caliph, who suspected that John was a spy for Byzantium, his right hand was cut off. Having applied it to the bleeding wound, the theologian prayed all night long to the icon of the Mother of God, and by the morning the hand had fused with the rest of the arm. As a sign of great gratitude and in memory of the miracle shown to him, he put his hand cast from pure silver to the silver frame of the icon. This is the story of the appearance of the iconographic image of the Mother of God of the Three Hands, which is now kept in one of the Moscow monasteries.

By the Iconoclastic Council of 754, John of Damascus was anathematized four times as a man who distorted Scripture, slandered Christ, and preached wicked ideas. His good name was restored to him by the VII Ecumenical Council, which recognized that the teachings of Damascus were correct.

The famous theologian and philosopher died in the monastery around 753, and after his death he was numbered among the saints.

Biography from Wikipedia

John of Damascus(Arabic: يوحنا الدمشقي‎ Yuhanna ad-Dimashki; Greek Ἰωάννης ὁ Δαμασκηνός; lat. Johannes Damascenus - John of Damascus; OK. 675, Damascus, Arab Caliphate - ca. 753 (780), Lavra of Saint Sava), also known as Greek. ὁ Χρυσορρόας, that is, “golden stream”; born Mansur ibn Serjun at-Taghlibi(Arabic: منصور بن سرجون التغلبي‎) - Christian saint, revered among the saints, one of the Church Fathers, theologian, philosopher and hymnographer.

The memory in the Orthodox Church is celebrated on December 4 (according to the Julian calendar), in the Catholic Church from 1890 to 1969 it was celebrated on March 27, after 1969 it is celebrated on December 4 (according to the Gregorian calendar).

The medieval method of calculating Paschalia (Easter date) is known as “the hand of John of Damascus” (“the hand of Damascus”).

His namesake grandfather and his father Serjun ibn Mansur served in Damascus with the rank of “great logothete,” that is, tax farmer, both under Roman (Byzantine) rule and during the Persian occupation, his grandfather participated in the transfer of power to the Arabs, and his father served at the court of the caliph Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan. He was subsequently replaced by John himself.

According to legend, John studied exact sciences and music together with his brother Cosmas (later Bishop of Mayum) from a certain captive monk from Calabria (also named Cosmas). After the introduction of Arabic (instead of Greek) as the only state language, including tax administration, around 706 or in the 710s, he took monastic vows at the monastery of St. Sava near Jerusalem and was probably ordained as a priest.

During the period of iconoclasm, he defended the veneration of icons, the author of “Three words of defense in support of icon veneration,” in which iconoclasm is understood as a Christological heresy, and also for the first time distinguished between “worship” due only to God and “veneration” provided to created things, including number and icons. The Iconoclastic Council of 754 anathematized John four times, but the VII Ecumenical Council confirmed the correctness of his teaching.

He died around 753 (according to other sources around 780) and was buried in the Lavra of Savva the Consecrated near the shrine containing the relics of St. Savva. During the reign of Emperor Andronikos II Palaiologos (1282-1328), his relics were transferred to Constantinople. Currently, the relics of St. John are known to be found in the Lavra of Saint Sava, the Monastery of George Alamana (near the village of Pendacomo, Cyprus), the Monastery of St. John the Evangelist on Patmos (Greece) and in the Church of San Giorgio dei Greci (Venice).

Already at the end of the 8th century, John the Jerusalemite compiled his first biography. In the 11th century, when Antioch was conquered by the Seljuks, a monk of the monastery of St. Simeon in the vicinity of Antioch, Michael, familiar with Greek and Arabic, wrote in Arabic the life of John of Damascus, based on various useful stories, as he himself says in the introduction.

Icon "Three-handed"

According to legend, the appearance of one of the images of the Virgin Mary is associated with the name of John. When the heresy of iconoclasm arose in Byzantium, supported by Emperor Leo III the Isaurian, John wrote three treatises in defense of icon veneration and sent them to the emperor. Leo the Isaurian was furious, but could not do anything, since John was a subject of the caliph. To prevent John from writing works in defense of icons, the emperor resorted to slander. A forged letter was drawn up on behalf of John, in which the Damascus minister allegedly offered the emperor his assistance in the conquest of the Syrian capital. This letter and the emperor's response to it were sent to the caliph. John was removed from office and punished by cutting off his right hand, which was hanged in the city square. After some time, John received the cut off hand back and, shutting himself up, put his hand to his hand and began to pray in front of the icon of the Mother of God. After some time, he fell asleep, and when he woke up, he discovered that his arm had miraculously grown back. In gratitude for the healing, John put a hand made of silver to the icon, which is reproduced on many copies of the icon, which received the name “Three-Handed”. In gratitude for the healing, they also wrote the song “He rejoices in You...”.

Essays

John of Damascus is known as the largest systematizer of Christian doctrine; he owns the fundamental work “The Source of Knowledge,” which includes philosophical (“Dialectics”), accusatory (“On Heresies”) and dogmatic (“Accurate Exposition of the Orthodox Faith”) sections.

Polemical works include “Three Words in Defense of the Veneration of Icons” (against the Iconoclasts), words against the Nestorians, Monophysites (Acephalians, Jacobites), Monothelites, Manichaeans, and possibly “Conversation between a Saracen and a Christian” (against Islam).

In addition, John wrote a number of sermons about the Mother of God.

John of Damascus dealt relatively little with exegesis; he compiled independent interpretations of the epistles of the Apostle Paul, which Bishop Icumenius and Blessed Theophylact of Bulgaria may have used.

The life of Varlaam and Joasaph is attributed to John, but, according to Archpriest George Florovsky, it was compiled in the middle of the 7th century in the monastery of St. Sava by another John.

John wrote a number of canons, special hymns of the Palestinian type, which came into use in the Eastern Church from the 9th century. He wrote the Canons for Easter, Christmas and a number of other Christian holidays. In addition, it is believed that John composed the Sunday “Oktoich” (Osmoglasnik, Oktay). Some prayers included in the sequence of evening prayers and for Holy Communion are inscribed in the name of John of Damascus.

In art

Cantata for choir and orchestra “John of Damascus”, written by the Russian composer Sergei Ivanovich Taneyev to the words of A. K. Tolstoy (op. 1) in 1884.

Saint John of Damascus is a defender of icons, theologian and preacher of the word of God, who is deeply revered in Orthodoxy. His icons help believers in the most painful and painful moments of their lives.

The icon of St. John of Damascus, which has miraculous powers, has gained special respect and reverence from Orthodox believers. A holy righteous man is a faithful and infallible clergyman who has devoted his entire life to serving the Lord and doing godly deeds.

History of the icon

John of Damascus lived in the 9th century in the territory of the Caliphate of Damascus, holding a high position at court. The saint professed Christianity. His heart was filled with kindness and boundless compassion. The Christian helped everyone who needed help, without attaching importance to people's religious views.
Saint John devoted his entire life to the struggle for Orthodoxy, fighting the persecution of Christians by pagans and preaching the Word of the Lord. A supporter of Jesus Christ was one of the first to call for the worship and veneration of sacred icons, constantly coming into conflict with the Christian Church because of this. Despite the cruel oppression of Orthodox believers, the faithful preacher never hid his true faith and love for Christ.

The Byzantine emperor, who received a letter about the defense of Christianity by John of Damascus, became furious and ordered the novice of the Lord to be severely punished. But it was impossible to do this: the theologian was a citizen of another country. Therefore, in order to punish a supporter of Christianity, the ruler decided to slander John, accusing him of helping in the conquest of Damascus. The saint was summoned to trial, where the hand with which he allegedly wrote a confession about his complete betrayal of power was cut off. The severed hand was hung in the square as a lesson to others. After some time, she was returned to the preacher so that he could look at her and remember his betrayal.

According to legend, John, in pain, did not stop reading prayers to the Mother of God, and Her help did not take long to arrive. The day after the severed hand was returned to him, it was reattached to his hand. In gratitude for this, the theologian made a cast of a hand from silver and attached it to the icon of the Mother of God, which is now known as the “Three-Handed One”.

Where is the holy image and relics of John of Damascus located?

The image of God's saint adorns many Orthodox and Catholic churches. According to historical sources, he died at the age of 104, around 755
AD, however, the data differs, and somewhere you can find later references to the death of the defender of icons, dating back to 780. The thing is that historians know little about the life of the righteous man, because he lived in a very turbulent time, when a war between Muslims and the followers of Christ broke out in Byzantium.

In Russia, the icon and the ark with part of the relics of St. John are kept in the Conception Stauropegial Convent. Also, the holy image is kept in the Armenian church of the city of Rostov-on-Don.

How does the icon of John of Damascus help?

The icon of St. John of Damascus is an irreplaceable image that must be in every home. It helps in literally everything related to finding your purpose, strengthening your faith and gaining spirituality. Prayer for forgiveness of sins in front of such an icon will help you get rid of serious illnesses of soul and body. The help of John of Damascus is comprehensive. Prayer to the monk is a reliable protection of your personal happiness. Such an icon can be given to a man with the name Ivan, since the saint is the patron and protector of people with that name.

Remembrance day and years of life of the saint

The exact information about the life and death of the saint is unknown. Historians make only assumptions, content with indirect signs: who John met, what events he took part in, which historical figures knew him. Today it is generally accepted that the saint was born in 625 and died no later than 754.

Description of the icon

The holy image of John is very easy to distinguish from other icons of the great martyrs. In the icon, the preacher is depicted not in classical attire, like most of the saints, but in an Arabic turban. So, when painting the image, the icon painters decided to emphasize the origin of St. John. The saint is depicted as an old man, in whose hands is the Holy Scripture as a symbol of faith and the commandments of God.

Prayer to Saint John in front of his icon

“Reverend John! Be merciful to all people who ask for Your help. We cry to You, O pious saint of God, for we are sinners and have strayed from the righteous path. Enlighten us, O Saint John, guide us on the true path and convey our words to the Lord. Ask for every sinner now for salvation and wisdom in order to withstand all the blows of fate and not fall under the influence of the devil. Help us through Your intercession to find strong faith, affirmation in good deeds, healing in illnesses, consolation in sorrows, intercession in offenses, help in troubles. Do not leave us who come running to You with faith, for we are weak and in need of help. Defender of Christianity, follower of Christ, hear our prayers and pray for our sins before the Lord. Deliver us from passions and show us the right path. We trust in Your power and Your quick help, continuing to glorify Your name day and night. Amen".

Our whole life is a series of accidents that sometimes have bad consequences. Trouble awaits us everywhere, regardless of age, gender and religion. There is one God, and our whole life lies in His hands alone. When faced with problems, it is important to understand what He wants to convey to you and try to correct your mistakes. Only then will you be able to get rid of all troubles once and for all. We wish you peace in your soul, take care of yourselfand don't forget to press the buttons and

(2nd half of the 7th century – until 754)

The life of St. John of Damascus before becoming a monk

Little is known reliably about the biographical details of the childhood and youth of St. John of Damascus. There is reason to assert that Saint John was born in Damascus in the second half of the 7th century.

He came from a famous and very wealthy family. His ancestors were directly related to the highest power structures that governed the territory of Syria. The reverend's grandfather, Mansur ibn Serjun, held the position of chief of staff of the Damascus tax service, and, thanks to his personal qualities, he retained this post even when there was a change of rulers.

His son, Serjun ibn Mansur, is described in one of the chronicles of the late 7th century as both a Christian and a treasure keeper. Judging by the researchers' estimates, John's ancestors were probably of Syrian rather than Arab origin.

It is believed that a well-educated monk from Calabria, who was ransomed by the father of John of Damascus, Sergius (ibn Serjun), from captivity, played a significant role in the training of the monk. At one time, seeing this slave, shedding bitter tears, and asking him what was the reason for such inconsolable crying, Sergius heard in response that he regretted that he might have to die without having time to transfer his spiritual wealth to anyone (accumulated experience).

As it turned out, the monk had extensive knowledge in the fields of theology, philosophy, music, dialectics, rhetoric, physics, and astronomy. What exactly he taught his ward is unknown, but based on the subsequently compiled theological and hymnal works of John of Damascus, it is not difficult to guess that he was able to put a lot of useful things into his soul. Together with John, Sergius' adopted son, Cosmas (the future saint Cosmas of Mayum), also studied with the monk.

Having received a proper education, John, as the son of a high-ranking subject, took a place in the power hierarchy corresponding to the position of his father. There is no unanimous opinion regarding the type of his professional activity. According to some sources, John served in the leadership of the tax collection service, and according to others, he served as the mayor of Damascus, the first minister of the caliph.

Being surrounded by privileges and honor, John of Damascus, however, did not consider the path of a secular career and material well-being to be the best path. His heart was already directed towards Christ. They say that already in those days he stood up to defend the Orthodox faith from various heretics.

But now, by the Providence of God, he was destined to face the final choice between worldly happiness and complete renunciation of the affairs of this world. When iconoclastic disputes broke out under Emperor Leo the Isaurian, and then, after 728, cruel persecution of admirers of Orthodox icons began, John of Damascus directed the power of his talent, his knowledge, and his zeal to the fight against the iconoclastic heresy.

Monastic feat

Eventually, the activities of the monk became known and began to irritate even the iconoclast emperor himself. And then the heretics used their favorite heretical weapon - lies - to fight the fighter for the purity of faith. Only this time the lie was not aimed at the dogmas of faith, but at undermining the reputation of their defender. John of Damascus was slandered before the caliph, accused of conspiracy and treason. Moreover, for this purpose, a method of slander that was both sophisticated and shameful was chosen. The clerk, forging the saint’s handwriting, wrote a letter to the emperor on his behalf with a promise to surrender the city of Damascus. This letter was then given to the Caliph. As a result, John was subjected to disgrace and cruel punishment: cutting off his hand.

But by special Divine intervention, after the tearful, heartfelt prayer of the sufferer in front of the icon of the Mother of God, the severed hand, leaning against the wound and tied with a handkerchief, was miraculously healed (at that time he was as if in a dream), the desecrated honor was restored, and the detractors were put to shame. Subsequently, in memory and gratitude of this event, the monk attached to the icon an image of a hand made of silver. In honor of this event, the image of the Mother of God “Three Hands” was established in iconography

John was again offered a place at court, but he refused the position and, having distributed all his property, freeing his slaves, withdrew from this world, joining the ranks of the monastic brotherhood. It is known that monastic tonsure took place in one of the Palestinian monasteries. There is a legend that this monastery became the Lavra of St. Savva the Consecrated. Along with monasticism, John also adopted a new name, under which he became glorified before God and the Church - John (before that his name was like his grandfather: Mansur).

They say that at first the monks treated him with caution, because after all, he was a former nobleman. Many refused to take him under their mentorship. Finally, there was one stern ascetic who agreed to take him into obedience. True, at the same time, John was given a firm condition that he resolutely refuse to engage in any literary work. And he refused.

But it happened that a relative of one monk died, after which he, overwhelmed with grief, began to beg John to write something comforting about this. John refused for a long time, but then he finally decided and composed funeral verses. The poems turned out to be beautiful, but the saint’s mentor, the elder, who forbade him to engage in writing, was indignant and even kicked him out of his cell. Then John began to ask him for forgiveness. Other monastic brethren also joined this request. Finally, the elder agreed to forgive the monk, but he, according to his word, had to cleanse the monastery of impurities with his own hands.

John, showing sincere humility, fulfilled the order, which touched the heart of the stern confessor. Meanwhile, the Mother of God Herself stood up for John, appearing to the elder in a vision. After this incident, the elder blessed John for literary creativity for the glory of Orthodoxy.

According to some sources, at one time Patriarch John of Jerusalem summoned John of Damascus to himself and ordained him to the rank of presbyter. Soon the Patriarch rested and John returned to his monastery. The year was 735.

After the throne of the autocrat passed to Copronymus, the struggle with icons broke out with even greater ferocity. John of Damascus, having arrived in Constantinople, boldly denounced the emperor and the heretical bishops who looked into his mouth. It is alleged that at the Council of 754 (755) an anathematism was pronounced against St. John of Damascus. According to some information, he was even imprisoned.

The year of the saint's death is not precisely established. It is believed that John of Damascus rested in the Lord around 775-780.

Creative heritage

Saint John was an extremely talented and prolific church writer. With all the breadth of topics raised in his writings, it is difficult to find a place in them worthy of negative criticism. In this regard, John of Damascus is rightly recognized as one of the most sober and orthodox exponents of the Holy Tradition of the Church.

Among the most famous fundamental works of this father stands out. A characteristic feature of this theological treatise, which distinguishes it from many other doctrinal manuals of that time, is a clear, systematic presentation, a brief but succinct explanation of the dogmatic truths presented.

Another, no less remarkable composition can be called. Within the framework of this work, a clear explanation is given of the most important theological expressions and terms, including those formally borrowed from philosophy. The work is devoted to listing and exposing heresies: .

In addition, the monk compiled many works of various directions, including those dedicated to the most important Christian Holidays (see, for example: ; ; ) as well as hymnographic and song-writing nature (see: Easter Canon).

Troparion to St. John of Damascus, tone 8

Teacher of Orthodoxy, / teacher of piety and purity, / lamp of the universe, / God-inspired fertilizer for monastics, John the Wise, / with your teachings you have enlightened everything, O spiritual priest, // pray to Christ God for the salvation of our souls.

Kontakion to St. John of Damascus, tone 4

Let us sing to the hymn-writer and honest blasphemer, / to the Church as a punisher and teacher / and to the enemies of the opponent: for we lift up the weapon, the Cross of the Lord, / reflect all the charm of heresies / and as a warm intercessor to God // grants forgiveness of sins to all.

John (John-Mansur) Damascus (c. 675 - to 753)

A great poet, a major theologian and fighter for Orthodoxy. Born in Damascus, into a rich and noble Christian family, he received a varied education. Under the guidance of a teacher, he studied philosophy, mathematics, astronomy and music.

At first, John served at the Umayyad court, then retired to the monastery of St. Sava (near Jerusalem), where he lived until his death.

John of Damascus was an exceptionally gifted man, interesting in many ways. His spiritual heritage is enormous and constitutes a priceless treasure of the Church. Tradition calls John the author of wonderful church hymns, from which the Christian world still draws wisdom, strength and consolation. The laconicism and liveliness of the language, touching lyricism and depth of thought - all this makes Damascene the greatest poet of Byzantium and the entire Christian world. It is no coincidence that he was called “golden jet”. He was one of the first to compile a calendar of days of remembrance of Christian saints and ascetics.

His musical activity is also closely connected with John’s poetry. He owns the first church musical system and the design of most Christian chants in the collections “Typikon” and “Octoechos”.

He is even better known as a theologian. He created a fundamental work, “The Source of Knowledge,” consisting of three parts: “Dialectics,” “The Book of Heresies,” and “An Accurate Exposition of the Orthodox Faith.” This system of ideas about God, the creation of the world and man, which determines his place in this and the other worlds. This work had a huge influence on future generations of not only Orthodox, but also Catholic theologians (for example, Thomas Aquinas). For the Orthodox Church, the work of John is still the primary source of the foundations of Christian doctrine.

From the point of view of art criticism, Damascene is interesting as a fierce opponent of iconoclasm and the creator of the theory of the Sacred Image, which laid the foundation for the canonization of icon painting.
According to his theory, it is possible and necessary to depict what actually happened (scenes from the Holy Scriptures, Lives of the Saints). You can paint Christ in the form in which he was on earth, but you cannot paint the image of God the Father.

The Caliph suspected John-Mansur of spying for Byzantium and ordered his right hand to be cut off. John put the severed hand in place, all night earnestly praying for healing to the icon of the Mother of God, according to legend, painted by the Evangelist Luke himself. The next morning the brush grew back. In commemoration of this miracle and as a sign of eternal gratitude, Damascus attached a hand cast in pure silver to the silver frame of the miraculous icon. Now it is in the Hilardar monastery (Athos, Greece). This is how one of the canonical iconographic images of the Mother of God arose - the Mother of God of Three Hands.

John of Damascus, the greatest theologian and hymnographer.

According to church tradition, he, an important person in the state, was publicly cut off his right hand, hanging it in the bazaar, using a forged letter that allegedly testified to his betrayal of the Caliph. Through fervent prayer to the Mother of God, the hand given to him by the Caliph grew.

The saint sang an enthusiastic hymn of gratitude, “Every creature rejoices in You, O Gracious One,” which was later included in the liturgy of St. Basil the Great. The image of the saint's hand was constantly held near the icon of the Mother of God (this is where the famous icon image of the Mother of God - ““) originates.

The name of John is also surrounded by great love in Russian secular art. “The enthusiastic canon of Damascus was sung at the all-night vigil today, And my soul was full of tenderness, And the wonderful words warmed my soul” (A. N. Apukhtin, “A Year in the Monastery. Excerpts from the Diary,” 1883).

“I was born simple to be a singer, to glorify God with a free verb!” - exclaims the saint in A. K. Tolstoy’s inspired poem “John of Damascus”, which served as the basis for Taneyev’s captivatingly beautiful cantata of the same name - schoolchildren should know it...

Venerable John of Damascus born around 680 in the capital of Syria, Damascus, into a Christian family. His father, Sergius Mansur, was treasurer at the court of the caliph. John had an adopted brother, the orphaned youth Cosmas, whom Sergius took into his house. When the children grew up, Sergius took care of their education.

At the Damascus slave market, he ransomed the learned monk Cosmas from Calabria from captivity and instructed him to teach children. The boys discovered extraordinary abilities and easily mastered the course of secular and spiritual sciences. After the death of his father, John took the position of minister and city governor at court.

At that time, the heresy of iconoclasm arose and quickly spread in Byzantium, supported by Emperor Leo III the Isaurian (717-741).

Having come to the defense of Orthodox icon veneration, John wrote three treatises “Against those who condemn holy icons.” John's wise, inspired writings infuriated the emperor. But, since their author was not a Byzantine subject, he could neither be imprisoned nor executed.

Then the emperor resorted to slander. On his orders, a forged letter was drawn up on behalf of John, in which the Damascus minister allegedly offered the emperor his assistance in the conquest of the Syrian capital. Leo the Isaurian sent this letter and his hypocritically flattering response to it to the caliph. He immediately ordered John to be removed from office, his right hand to be cut off and hanged in the city square.

That same day, by evening, John’s severed hand was returned. The monk began to pray to the Most Holy Theotokos and ask for healing. Having fallen asleep, he saw the icon of the Mother of God and heard Her voice, telling him that he was healed, and at the same time commanding him to work tirelessly with his healed hand. When he woke up, he saw that his hand was unharmed.

Having learned about the miracle that testified to John’s innocence, the caliph asked him for forgiveness and wanted to return him to his former position, but the monk refused. He distributed his wealth and, together with his adopted brother and fellow student Cosmas, went to Jerusalem, where he entered the monastery of Saint Sava the Sanctified as a simple novice. It was not easy to find him a spiritual leader. Of the monastic brethren, only one very experienced elder agreed to this, who began to skillfully instill in the student a spirit of obedience and humility.

First of all, the elder forbade John to write, believing that success in this field would cause pride. Once he sent the monk to Damascus to sell baskets made in the monastery, and ordered them to be sold much more than their real price. And so, having made a painful journey under the sultry sun, the former nobleman of Damascus found himself in the market in the torn clothes of a simple basket seller. But John was recognized by his former housekeeper and bought all the baskets at the appointed price.

One day one of the monks died in the monastery and the brother of the deceased asked John to write something to console him. John refused for a long time, but out of mercy, yielding to the requests of the grief-stricken man, he wrote his famous funeral troparia. For this disobedience, the elder expelled him from his cell. All the monks began to ask for John. Then the elder entrusted him with one of the most difficult and unpleasant tasks - removing sewage from the monastery. The monk showed an example of obedience here too. After some time, the elder was instructed in a vision by the Most Pure and Most Holy Virgin Mary to lift the ban on John’s writing.

The Patriarch of Jerusalem learned about the monk, ordained him a priest and made him a preacher at his pulpit. But St. John soon returned to the Lavra of St. Sava, where until the end of his days he spent time writing spiritual books and church hymns, and left the monastery only to denounce the iconoclasts at the Council of Constantinople in 754. He was subjected to imprisonment and torture, but he endured everything and, by the grace of God, remained alive. He died around 780, at the age of 104.

JOHN OF DAMASCUS
Troparion, tone 8

Teacher of Orthodoxy, teacher of piety and purity, / Lamp of the universe, God-inspired fertilizer for monastics, / John the Wise, with your teachings you have enlightened everything, O spiritual priest, / pray to Christ God for the salvation of our souls.

Kontakion, tone 4

Let us sing to the hymn-writer and honorable God-spreader, / to the Church as a punisher and teacher / and to the enemies of the opponent: / for we take up arms, the Cross of the Lord, / reflect all the charms of heresies / and as a warm intercessor to God / grants forgiveness of sins to all.

Venerable John of Damascus on the veneration of holy icons

Since some blame us for worshiping and honoring the image of our Savior and the image of the Mother of God, as well as the image (icon) of the other holy servants of Christ, let them know that initially God created man in His image.

Why do we worship each other (we greet each other, if not for the reason that we are all created in the image of God? The God-bearing and holy great father of the Church, Basil the Great, says that the honor given to the image goes back to the original.

The prototype is that of which the likeness is drawn and from which the image on the icon is given. And for what reason did the people of Moses worship the tabernacle of the things of heaven, standing around it, while the tabernacle showed the likeness of many images, for God said to Moses: “ Look, make them according to the pattern shown to you on the mountain"(Ex.25:40).

Also, the cherubim that overshadowed the altar were not the work of human hands; in the same way, was not the glorious church of Jerusalem built by the art of human hands?

Holy Scripture condemns only those who worship idols and who sacrifice to demons. Both Greeks and Jews made sacrifices: but the former offered sacrifices to demons, the latter to God. The sacrifices of the Greeks were rejected and cursed, but the sacrifices of the Jews were acceptable to the Lord.

So Noah made a sacrifice, and “ the Lord smelled a pleasant fragrance"(Gen. 8:21), for this sacrifice was made from a pure and benevolent heart; but Hellenic idols, as vile and God-hating, were prohibited and cursed, since they were idols of demons.

Besides this, who can depict the face of God, invisible, incorporeal, indescribable, incapable of depiction?
It would be insane atheism to want to depict the Divine as it exists in Itself. For this reason, icons were not used in the Old Testament.

But then, when the merciful God, in His mercy, arranging our salvation, appeared in the image of a true man, and not in the likeness of only a human face, as he once appeared to Abraham and the prophets, but revealed Himself as a true man, walking the earth, living with people, performing miracles, suffering, being crucified on the cross, being buried, then resurrected and ascended into heaven - then everything that happened in reality, everything that people saw, but what we, who did not live at that time, did not see - All this was then written down for our edification and reminder, so that, without seeing it, we would hear it. and, having believed, received bliss (eternal).

And since not everyone is given the ability to know the scriptures, not everyone is given the gift of reading books, the holy fathers unanimously decided to depict all this on icons for quicker recollection, as glorious, victorious signs. For often, through our negligence, we forget about the suffering of the Lord; Having looked at the image of Christ’s crucifixion, we immediately remember His saving suffering and, falling down, we worship, not the thing, but the One whose image we see before us; for we worship not the material from which the Gospel is composed, but the word of God written in it; in the same way, we worship not the material from which the cross is made, but the Crucifixion of Christ depicted by the cross.

The cross would be no different from the material from which it is made, if it did not represent the Crucifixion of Christ. The same should be said about the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, for the honor that we give to the Mother of God goes back to the Incarnate One from Her.

In the same way, the courageous deeds of the holy saints of God, depicted on icons, excite us to courage, zeal and imitation of their virtues and to the glorification of God and, as we said, the honor that we give to the praiseworthy ascetics depicted on icons is evidence of our zeal before the common Lord of us all and, moreover, that honor goes back to the true prototype.

What we said is not written down in the Holy Scriptures, just as it is not written down there about worship to the east, veneration of the cross, and much more, and the like. History records how Abgar, the king of Edessa, sent his painter, a woman, to paint the image of the Lord, but he (the painter) could not fulfill what was ordered to him, because of the wondrous light emanating from the face of Christ.

Then the Lord Himself put a towel to His divine and life-giving face and depicted His likeness on the towel, which He sent to Abgar in order to fulfill his desire. And that the holy Apostles conveyed much to us without the scriptures, the Apostle of the Gentiles, Saint Paul, testifies to this, saying this: “ Therefore, brethren, stand and hold fast to the traditions which you have been taught either by our word or by our message."(2 Thess. 2:15). And elsewhere: " I praise you, brothers, that you remember everything I have and keep the traditions"(1 Cor. 11:2).

1 Saint John of Damascus is a famous theologian and hymn writer, monk of the monastery of St. Savvas, a zealot of Orthodoxy in the fight against iconoclasts, who lived in the 8th century. For his highly artistic, touching chants, he received the name “gold-jet”. His memory is celebrated by the Holy Church on December 4.

2 Speaking about people who condemn Christians, Saint John of Damascus means iconoclasts. The iconoclastic heresy appeared in the 8th century, therefore St. John of Damascus was its contemporary. The iconoclasts foolishly confused icon veneration with idolatry. Saint John of Damascus, in his present discourse on the worship of holy icons, denounces the godless delusion of the iconoclasts. The founder of the iconoclastic heresy is considered to be Constantine, Bishop of Nakolia (in Phrygia - the Asia Minor region). The most ardent champions of iconoclasm were the emperors Leo III the Isaurian (717-741) and Constantine V Copronymus (741-775). This heresy was condemned at the VII Ecumenical Council, which took place in 787 in the city of Nicaea.

3 St. Basil the Great - the most famous father of the Church of the 4th century. - His memory is celebrated in St. Church on January 1 and 30.

4 Noah is the son of Lamech, the last patriarch before the flood. The sacrifice to God was made by Noah upon leaving the ark (Gen. 8:15-20) and was a prototype of the sacrifice of Christ.