Praise to Saint John the Theologian.

We have been called, beloved, by His Holiness John the Theologian and friend of Christ, who did not grow pleasantly fragrant roses for us, but who increased for us the virtues of the spiritual fathers. Their fragrance is a pious confession and the salvation of our souls. Tell me: what rose is so decorated with leaves, as the most holy John is glorified by the divine crown of saints? The rose shines from within with incense, sparkling gold; and most holy John shines from the very top of the throne with the fragrant life of our all-wise shepherd and teacher. Oh John! You are remembered annually by strangers and live daily with the Ephesians. Oh John! You shine on that sacred mountain like a high ruler - you do not bestow property on your citizens, but you bestow healing on those who ask you. Oh John! With the trophy of the cross, you cast down the monogamous snake, Artemis, and powerfully restored by the power of the cross the monogamous bride of Christ, the church. Oh John! You left your father, Zebedee, on the ship, and loved the breast of your Lord, the Nazarene. Like two mountains, you contemplated two breasts, in the midst of which, having sweetly calmed down, you theologized about the One who was known in the midst of two animals: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (“in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was to God, and God was the Word”) (John 1:1). And behold the amazing apostle. He who is not buried in the earth irrigates the earth, and irrigation is healing manna, and, being exhausted, does not become exhausted over time. What is the reason, what is the effect? No one will be able to say; the gifts of our Savior Christ are immutable, and the works of the saints are inexhaustible. Oh John! (You are) the weapon of the pious, a truly pious confession, their common refuge, a refuge to God. As a haven for those who are overwhelmed, so is God for those who are weary. Today Saint John shines for us with the beauty of his virtue; he was read among us - he, shining with his piety from his ancient book, as if from a royal image. John is the wonderful beginning of faith, a prosperous root, an inexhaustible source, among all pagans not only a temporary law, but, I believe, an everlasting venerable message of piety, the first pinnacle of faith, an expander of piety for everyone, our educator in zeal for the wonderful gifts of love. We look at the chamber of virginity and embrace the source of healing. Let us reveal his word about light. The Father is light, the Son is light, the Holy Spirit is light. The Father is light, because he is true God; The Son is light because he shone forth from the Father; The Holy Spirit is light because it comes from the Father, and therefore true God. The Apostle testifies with the words: “God is light” (“God is light”) (1 John 1:5), and also: “There was a man sent from God; his name is John. He came for testimony, to testify of the Light" ("John came... let him testify of the Light") (John 1:6-7), and also: "There was the true Light, which enlightens every man who comes into the world" ("there is no true Light, which enlightens every man who comes into the world") (John 1:9), i.e., going to truth. About the Son: “I am the true light” (“I am light”) (John 8:12), and: “I am in the Father and the Father in Me” (John 10:38). That the Son is the light and the sun of righteousness, the prophet exclaims: “Arise, shine, [Jerusalem], for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you” (“shine, shine, Jerusalem, for your light has come to you, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you”) (Is. 60:1). The psalm says about the Holy Spirit: “With You is the source of life; in Your light we see light” (“with you is the source of life, in your light we will see light”) (Ps. 35:10), i.e., “in the Son we will see the Holy Spirit; (this is) the light with which we are illuminated, and are still illuminated in our hearts to this day.” The Father is light, because he is true God; The Son is light because the reflection of His light; The Holy Spirit is light, (as) emanating from the Father: “No one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God” (“no one... knows God..., but the Spirit in Him”) (1 Cor. 2:11). The Holy Spirit is the true light, which is contemplated and thought in the true light. So, may our faith remain indestructible and the Trinity indivisible, brothers! And blessed Solomon says that “a thread twisted three times will not quickly break” (“a triple rope will not... be torn apart”) (Eccl. 4:12). God sanctifies, illuminates, gives life, liberates, and more. And the Son is exactly the same; everything that the Father does and the Holy Spirit also sanctifies, illuminates, gives life, and liberates. We are set free, and sanctified, and illuminated, and made alive, having been baptized into the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Creations attributed to St. John Chrysostom and in the Patrology of Min, classified as Spuria. The paragraphs in the text were arranged by us. – Editorial staff of “ABC of Faith”