The Transfer of the Precious Relics (438) of Our Father among the Saints John Chrysostom
Hebrews 7:26-8:2; John 10:9-16
Polyeleos Feast
Read John 10:9-16
Christ is born! Glorify Him!
Today we commemorate the feast of the transfer of the precious relics of our Father among the saints John Chrysostom, who died in exile in the year 407, in the city of Comana—located in modern day Turkey, on the Black Sea, by Armenia. The transfer of relics occurred in the year 438 about 30 years after the death of St. John. It was the people out of their sincere love for their exiled bishop that demanded that the relics be brought back to Constantinople. As a result Emperor Theodosius II, who’s parents exiled St. John, consented that this good work be brought to completion. Miraculously the relics could not be lifted from their spot until the emperor wrote a letter of apology on behalf of his parents and humbly requested for him to return to Constantinople. Once the letter was read at the grave the workers were able to lift the coffin and thus they began the transport of the relics back to the capital city.
The return of the relics was marked with many miracles of healing and corrected injustices, but the most powerful witness was that of forgiveness. Emperor Theodosius II approached St. John with tears and repentance for the sin of his family. It was said that the ground at the grave of the Empress Eudoxia trembled with unrest for many years, until the moment St. John was brought to it. At that moment peace was restored and the ground ceased to tremble. When St. John was brought to the church of the Apostles and placed on the throne of the bishop everyone heard him say, “Peace be with all.” The injustice of a righteous man’s exile loomed over the whole city for many years, but through forgiveness, peace and joy were restored not only to the Emperor’s family, but to the whole city.
St. John had all the earthly reasons to hate and curse his oppressors, but instead the power of love and forgiveness, which comes forth from Christ, worked in him even after his earthly death. Through Christ Jesus, this power is accessible to us all as long as we continually abide in the Lord and approach each other with humility and love.