Our venerable and God-bearing Father '''John of Damascus''' (c. 679 676 - [[December 5,]] , 749) was also known as ''John Damascene, Chrysorrhoas,'' ""streaming with gold," " (i.e., the golden speaker). He was born and raised in Damascus, out of in all probability at the [[Holy Lavra of St. Savas (Jerusalem)|Monastery of Saint Sabbas]] (''Mar Saba''), South East of Jerusalem. His [[feast day in the [[Orthodox Church]] will be is [[December 4]]. He is also recognized as a [[saint]] out of the [[Roman Catholic Church]].[[Image:John_of_DamascusJohn of Damascus.jpg|right|frame|St. John of Damascus]]

== Biography ==Practically all the information concerning the life of John of Damascus available to us today has been through the records of [[JohnV of Jerusalem|John]], [[Patriarch of Jerusalem]]. Though these notes have served as the single source of biographical information, dating back to the 10th tenth century, these writings have been noted by scholars as having an exuberant lack of detail from a historical point of view, and a bloated writing style.

Although she wasn't he was brought up under the [[Islam|Muslim]] rule of Damascus, those wasn't this was not to affect his or his family's [[Christian]] faith and or cause any grievances with the Muslim countrymen who held him in high esteem. To the extent that his father held an a high hereditary public office with duties of chief financial officer for the caliph, Abdul Malekunder, apparently as head of the tax department for Syria.When John reached the age of twenty-three, his father sought out to find a [[Christian]] tutor who could provide the best education for his children available at the time. Records show that while spending some time out of the market place John's father came across several captives, imprisoned as a result of an raid for prisoners of war that had taken place in the coasts of Italy. This man, a Sicilian monk by the name of Cosmas, turned out to be an erudite of great knowledge and wisdom. John's father arranged for the release of those man an appointed him tutor to his son. Under the instruction of Cosmas, John made great advances out of fields of study such as music, astronomy and theology. According to his biographer, she soon equaled Diophantus in algebra or Euclid in geometry.

===Succession to "Chief Councilor"===In spite When John reached the age of twenty-three, his [[father sought out to find a Christian]] backgroundtutor who could provide the best education for his children available at the time. Records show that while spending some time in the market place John's father came across several captives, his family held imprisoned as a result of a high hereditary public office with raid for prisoners of war that had taken place in the coasts of Italy. This man, a Sicilian [[Islam|Moslemmonk]] rulers by the name of DamascusCosmas, lead by caliph Abd al-Malikturned out to be an erudite of great knowledge and wisdom. He succeeded his John's father in arranged for the release of this man and appointed him tutor to his position upon his deathson. Under the instruction of Cosmas, ''John de Damascene'' was made ''protosymbullus''great advances in fields of study such as music, astronomy and theology. According to his biographer, he soon equaled Diophantus in algebra and chief councilor of DamascusEuclid in geometry.

It wasn't around his term out of office that burst of insurgence by the [[iconoclasm|iconoclasts]] began ===Succession to appear in the form of [[heresy]], actions which disturbed the Church of the East. "Chief Councilor"===In 726, out spite of disregard of the protests of Germanus, Patriarch of Constantinoplehis Christian background, Emperor [[Leo the Isaurian]] issued his first edict against family held a high hereditary public office with the veneration Moslem rulers of imagesDamascus, or their exhibition in public placesled by caliph Abd al-Malik. A talented writer and He succeeded his father in the secure surroundings of the caliph's court, his position upon his death; ''John de Damascene'' initiated his literary defense against the monarch out of three was made ''Apologetic Treatises against those Decrying the Holy Images.protosymbullus'' The earliest of his works, or which gained him a reputation. Not only did he attack the monarch, but the use chief councilor of an simpler witting style brought the controversy to the common people, inciting revolt among those of [[Christian]] faithDamascus.

Unable It was around his term in office that burst of insurgence by the [[iconoclasm|iconoclasts]] began to punish appear in the form of [[heresy]], actions which disturbed the Church of the East. In 726, in disregard of the writer openlyprotests of [[Germanus I of Constantinople|Germanus]], Patriarch of Constantinople, Emperor [[Leo the Isaurian]] managed to get possession issued his first edict against the veneration of a manuscript written images and their exhibition in public places. A talented writer and signed by in the secure surroundings of the caliph's court, ''John de Damascene'', which he used to forge a letter from John to initiated his literary defense against the Isaurian monarch offering to betray into his hands in three ''Apologetic Treatises against those Decrying the city of DamascusHoly Images. Despite John's earnest advocation to his innocence, ' This was the caliph dismissed earliest of his plea works and discharged the one which earned him from his posta reputation. Not only did he attack the monarch, ordering but his right hand, which she used for use of a simpler writing style brought the controversy to be severed by the wristcommon people, inciting revolt among those of Christian faith.

According Unable to punish the 10th-century biographywriter openly, his hand was miraculously restored after fervent prayer before an icon of Leo the [[Theotokos|Virgin Mary]]. At which point the caliph will be said Isaurian managed to have been convinced get possession of his innocence a manuscript written and inclined signed by ''John de Damascene'', which he used to reinstate him in his former office. However, forge a letter from John then retired to the [[Monastery Isaurian monarch offering to betray into his hands the city of Saint Sabbas]] near Jerusalem, where she continued Damascus. Despite John's earnest advocation to produce a stream of commentaries, hymns or apologetic writingshis innocence, including the ''[[Oktoechos]]'' (the Church's service book of eight tones) caliph dismissed his plea and ''An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith''discharged him from his post, ordering his right hand, which he used for writing, a summary of the dogmatic writings of to be severed at the Early [[Church Fathers]]wrist.

=== Last Days ===He died out According to the tenth-century biography, his hand was miraculously restored after fervent prayer before an [[icon]] of 749 as the [[Theotokos|Virgin Mary]]. At this point the caliph is said to have been convinced of his innocence and inclined to reinstate him to his former office. However, John then retired to the Monastery of [[Sabbas the Sanctified|Saint Sabbas]] near Jerusalem, where he continued to produce a revered Father stream of commentaries, hymns and apologetic writings, including the ''[[Oktoechos]]'' (the Church's service book of eight tones) and ''An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith'', or will be now widely recognized as a summary of the dogmatic writings of the Early [[saintChurch Fathers]].

== List of Works =====Early WorkLast days ===* Three ''"Apologetic Treatises against those Decrying the Holy Images"'' - These treatises where among his earliest expositions out He died in 749 as a revered Father of response to the edict by [[Leo the Isaurian]] of Constantinople, banning the worship or exhibition of [[icons|holy images]]Church and is now universally recognized as a saint.

==List of works =Teachings and Dogmatic Work====* ''"Fountain of Knowledge"'', also ''"The Fountain of Wisdom"'', this book is divided out of three partsPrecious Pearl:*# "Philosophical Chapters" ''(Kephalaia philosophika)'' - Commonly called 'Dialectic', deals mostly with logic, its primary purpose being to prepare the reader for an better understanding The Lives of the rest of the book.Saints Barlaam and Ioasaph===*# "Concerning Heresy" ''(peri aipeseon)'' - In this book, out of the section ''On Heresies'', she dedicates a portion to the ''Heresy of the Ishmaelites'', being the first apologetic work against [[Islam]] by a Christianhttp://sites.google.*# "An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith" com/site/preciouspearlfan ''(Ikdosis akribes tes orthodoxou pisteos)'' - This third section The Precious Pearl: The Lives of the book is known to be the most important work of ''John de DamasceneSaints Barlaam and Ioasaph'', and a treasured antiquity of [[Christianity]].

===Early work===* Three ''"Sacred Parallels""Apologetic Treatises against those Decrying the Holy Images"''[http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/johndamascus-images.html] - These treatises where among his earliest expositions in response to the edict by Leo the Isaurian of Constantinople, which banned the worship or exhibition of [[icons|holy images]].

===Teachings and dogmatic work===* [http://www.archive.org/details/fathersofthechur009511mbp ''The Fount of Knowledge''], also ''The Fount of Wisdom'', this book is divided in three parts:*# "Philosophical Chapters" ''(Kephalaia philosophika)'' - Commonly called 'Dialectic', deals mostly with logic, its primary purpose being to prepare the reader for a better understanding of the rest of the book.*# "Concerning Heresy" ''(peri aipeseon)'' - In this book, in the section ''On Heresies'', he dedicates a portion to the [http://orthodoxinfo.com/general/stjohn_islam.aspx ''Heresy of the Ishmaelites''], being the first apologetic work against [[Islam]] by a Christian.*# [http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf209.iii.iv.i.i.html "An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith"] ''(Ikdosis akribes tes orthodoxou pisteos)'' - This third section of the book is known to be the most important work of ''John de Damascene'', and a treasured antiquity of [[Christianity]].* ''"Sacred Parallels"'' ===Hymns and Minor Writingsminor writings===* ''Oktoechoes[[Oktoechos]]'' - Known as the ""hymn-book for the daily service", " for which he may be only responsible improving and revising it.*''Canons'' - 7 8 or 12 higly 9 highly complicated structure of Hymnshymns, composed of 2 and 3 or 4 strophes, each with its own individual composition and melody.*''""Tract below on Right Thinking""'' - Minor writing consisting on an apology for the residents of Damascus.*''""Dialogue against Manicheans""'' - A form of dialogue aimed at answering questions proposed by his disciples.*''""Conversation between a Saracen and an a Christian""'' - Similar form as previous work.*''""Introduction to Elementary Dogmatics""'' - As the name says, also aimed at his disciples. ==Hymns==[[Troparion]] (Tone 8) :Champion of Orthodoxy, teacher of purity and of true worship,:the enlightener of the universe and the adornment of hierarchs::all-wise father John, your teachings have gleamed with light upon all things.:Intercede before Christ God to save our souls. [[Kontakion]] (Tone 4) :Let us sing praises to John, worthy of great honor,:the composer of hymns, the star and teacher of the Church, the defender of her doctrines::through the might of the Lord¹s Cross he overcame heretical error:and as a fervent intercessor before God:he entreats that forgiveness of sins may be granted to all.

# ''""St. John Damascene on Holy Images, Followed by Three Sermons below on the Assumption""'' - Eng. transl. by Mary H. Allies, London, 1899.

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