John Of Damascus

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Saint John of Damascus was the Patron Saint of the makers of the crucifix. Saint John of Damascus was born in Damascus,Syria. At this time the Arabs had conquered Damascus by laying siege on the capital forty years before John was born. Saint John was baptized immediately after his birth so he can follow in his father’s footsteps. A man whose fields of interest and contribution included law, theology, philosophy, and music, he is said to have served as an Administrator to the Muslim caliph of Damascus before his ordination. When his father died John took his position in court and was familiar with Islam and Christianity, even though his father was the only one in his family that was allowed to practice Christianity. John eventually left the service of court to seek the solitude of a monk’s …show more content…

The counterpart to The Source of Knowledge is John’s anthology of moral exhortations, the Sacred Parallels, culled from biblical texts and from writings of the Church Fathers. Among his literary works are several intricately structured kanōns, or hymns for the Greek Liturgy, although his reputation in liturgical poetry rests largely on his revision of the Eastern Church’s hymnal the Octoēchos. John’s most important work is the Foundation of Knowledge, presenting a closely reasoned system of theology based on the Scriptures and Church Fathers. His reputation for holiness and intelligence made him popular and a respected preacher in the city of Jerusalem. His background at court and his common sense intrigued a number of bishops to come to the monastery to seek his advice. His biggest accomplishment was when the current Byzantine emperor Leo III, issued a decree forbidding images in churches. John, the articulate preacher, entered the controversy. The emperor had ordered that all items that represent religious subjects be removed from the

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