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'''John of Damascus''' (c. 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]], in all probability at the monastery of Mar Saba, South East of Jerusalem. His feast day in the [[JerusalemOrthodox Church]] is [[December 4]]. <br><br><br> 

Practically all the information concerning the life of John of Damascus available to us today, has been through the records of John, Patriarch of Jerusalem. Though these notes have served as the single source of biographical information, dating back to the 10th 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 he was brought up under the [[Islam|Muslim]] rule of [[Damascus]], this was not to affect his or his family's [[Christian]] faith or cause any grievances with the [[Muslim]] countrymen who held him in high esteem. To the extent that his father held 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 in the market place John's father came across several captives, imprisoned as a result of a raid for prisoners of war that had taken place in the coasts of [[Italy]]. This man, a [[Sicily|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 this man an appointed him tutor to his son. Under the instruction of [[Cosmas]], John made great advances in fields of study such as music, astronomy and theology. According to his biographer, he soon equaled [[Diophantus]] in algebra and [[Euclid]] in geometry.

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

Unable to punish the writer openly, [[Leo the Isaurian]] managed to get possession of a manuscript written and signed by ''John de Damascene'', which he used to forge a letter from John to the Isaurian monarch offering to betray into his hands the city of [[Damascus]]. Despite John's earnest advocation to his innocence, the [[caliph]] dismissed his plea and discharged him from his post, ordering his right hand, which he used for writing to be severed by the wrist.

According to the 10th-century biography, his hand was miraculously restored after fervent prayer before an icon of the [[the Theotokos|Virgin Mary]]. At which point the [[caliph]] is said to have been convinced of his innocence and inclined to reinstate him in his former office. However, John then retired to the [[monasticism|monastery]] Monastery of Saint Sabbas ]] near [[Jerusalem]], where he continued to produce a stream of commentaries, hymns and apologetic writings, including the ''Octoechos[[Oktoechos]]'' (the Church's service book of eight tones) and ''An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith'', a summary of the dogmatic writings of the Early [[Church Fathers]].

* Three ''"Apologetic Treatises against those Decrying the Holy Images"'' - These treatises where among his earliest expositions in response to the edict by [[Leo the Isaurian]] of [[Constantinople]], banning the worship or exhibition of [[icons|holy images]].

* ''oktoechoesOktoechoes'' - Known as the "hymn-book for the daily service", which he may be only responsible improving and revising it.