From the Desk of Father Nathan

A Message from Father Nathan

My dearest people who are all close to my heart

Lots of love, blessings, and prayers to you all.

Saint John Chrysostom

Saint John Chrysostom was born as John of Antioch. Chrysostom is a title attributed to him, meaning “Golden Mouth” and an honorific, Greek title emphasizing the power of his preaching and writings.

Early Life

He was born in Antioch, modern-day Turkey, to Christian parents. His father was a high-ranking military officer who died shortly after John’s birth. John’s twenty-year-old widowed mother opted not to remarry, choosing to devote herself entirely to raising her son and John’s older sister.

St. John Chrysostom was a convert, a holy deacon, an influential priest, an exceptionally consequential Archbishop, and a prolific writer. This latter quality ultimately earned him the distinction of being a Doctor of the Church. In addition to his pastoral work, he left behind about 700 sermons, hundreds of letters, commentaries on Scripture, theological treatises – including essential teachings on the Eucharist and priesthood – and other writings that remain influential today.

He has a beautiful prayer “Are you a sinner?”

Do not become discouraged and come to Church to put forward repentance. Have you sinned? Then tell God, “I have sinned.” What manner of toil is this, what prescribed course of life, what affliction? What manner of difficulty is it to make one statement, “I have sinned?” Perhaps if you do not call yourself a sinner, you do not have the devil as an accuser? Anticipate this and snatch the honor away from him, because it is his purpose to accuse. Therefore, why do you not prevent him, and why do you not tell your sin and wipe it out, since you know that you have such an accuser who cannot remain silent? Have you sinned? Come to the Church. Tell God, “I have sinned.” I do not demand anything else fo you than this. Holy Scripture states, “Be the first one to tell of your transgressions, so you may be justified.” Admit the sin to annul it. This requires neither Labor nor a circuit of words, nor monetary expenditure, nor anything else whatsoever such as these. Say one word, think carefully about the sin and say, “I have sinned.’

– Homily of Saint Chrysostom

God bless you all.

With lots of love and blessings,

Ever wanting to be faithful to your service,

— Fr. Sahayanathan Nathan