The Doctor of Christian Art
St. John of Damascus was a significant figure in the history of theEastern Church, holding the unique distinction of being one of its last Fathers and its greatest poet. Despite his importance, there is a surprising lack of reliable information about his life.
When Damascus was conquered by the Arabs, John's ancestors remainedfaithful to Christianity. They earned the respect of the conquerors and were given high-ranking judicial positions, where they likely applied Christian laws to Christian subjects under the Sultan.
John's father, a man of both respect and wealth, dedicated his resources to freeing Christian slaves and giving them their freedom. It was believed that John was born as a reward for these noble deeds. He was baptized immediately after birth, probably by Peter II, the Bishop of Damascus, who later suffered for his faith.
John's father wanted to protect him from the violent ways common among Damascus youths, focusing instead on his education. At this time, Saracen pirates were capturing Christians throughout the Mediterranean. A monk named Cosmas was captured by these pirates. When about to be executed, he was asked by his captors about his identity. Cosmas, who was a simple monk and not a priest, was deeply upset, not about losing his life but about losing his knowledge.
John's father, witnessing this, saw Cosmas's potential as a tutor for his son. He managed to save Cosmas's life and gave him his freedom, placing John under his guidance. John quickly mastered all that Cosmas could teach him. Afterward, Cosmas left to join the monastery of St. Sabas. He intended to live there peacefully but was later made the bishop of Majuma, the port of Gaza.
A Scholar of Great Influence
Quickly St. John of Damascus became a figure of immense respect and influence, even among the Saracens. His intelligence and achievements were so remarkable that he was eventually given a high-ranking position, even more prestigious than his father's.
During the Iconoclastic controversy, a period when there was a lot of debate about the use of religious images, John of Damascus became a key figure. He opposed the Eastern Emperor's stance against religious images. He wrote his first treatise on the Veneration of Images right after Emperor Leo the Isaurian's 730 decree against these images.
Before composing his second treatise, John seems to have been ordained as a priest. This is evident because he wrote with a sense of authority and mission. His third treatise essentially summarized the arguments made in the first two.
These three treatises were spread widely throughout the Christian world, showing their significant impact and the high regard in which John of Damascus was held.
The Miraculous Tale of the Restored Hand
According to a fascinating story, Leo the Isaurian, who was against the use of religious images, played a significant role in a dramatic event in John of Damascus's life. Leo, using his agents, managed to get one of John's written circular epistles. He then crafted a fake letter that made it seem like John was planning to betray Damascus to the Christians.
When this forged letter reached the Sultan, he was outraged. Believing the letter to be true, he ordered that John's hand be cut off as punishment. In response to this harsh sentence, John asked for his hand back. He prayed in front of an image of the Virgin Mary, fell asleep, and miraculously woke up with his hand restored.
Convinced that this miracle was a sign of protection from the Virgin Mary, John decided to dedicate his life entirely to prayer and praise. He chose to live a monastic life, retiring to the monastery of St. Sabas.
The Trials and Triumphs in the Monastery of St. Sabas
While living in the monastery of St. Sabas, St. John Damascene faced some challenging experiences under the abbot's strict rules. One of the tasks given to him was to sell baskets in Damascus's marketplace. This was a significant change for someone who used to hold a position of dignity. Moreover, he was instructed to sell these baskets at high prices, despite their simplicity.
Another incident tested John's resolve. A man, grieving the loss of his brother, approached John to write a sweet hymn for the funeral. This hymn was also meant to comfort the grieving man. When John requested permission from the abbot, he was denied. However, seeing the man's deep sorrow, John couldn't help but compose and sing a beautiful lament for him.
Unfortunately, the abbot heard John singing and was furious. He expelled John from the monastery. John was later allowed back, but only under the harsh condition of cleaning the filth from the cells of the other monks every day.
In a twist of fate, the abbot had a vision that made him realize the mistake of not using John's remarkable talents. This story of John's time in the monastery highlights his humility, compassion, and the eventual recognition of his gifts.
Poet and Defender of Faith
After facing various challenges, John of Damascus was finally allowed to focus on what he did best: writing religious poetry and engaging in theological arguments. His work significantly contributed to the Eastern Church, both in defending its doctrines and in countering different heresies.
John composed three particularly famous hymns or "canons," celebrated for their depth and beauty. These were dedicated to Easter, the Ascension, and St. Thomas's Sunday. Besides these, many other pieces of liturgical music found in the church's office-books, like the Idiomela and Stichera, are believed to be his work, often listed under the names 'John' and 'John the Hermit.'
His most notable work was his eloquent defense of religious images, which earned him the distinguished title of The Doctor of Christian Art. His contributions in this area were particularly crucial during the Iconoclastic controversy, where he stood as a strong advocate for the use of religious imagery.
