I do not know whether anyone has ever succeeded in not enjoying praise. And, if he enjoys it, he naturally wants to receive it. And if he wants to receive it, he cannot help but being distraught at losing it. Those who are in love with applause have their spirits starved not only when they are blamed off-hand, but even when they fail to be constantly praised.

After the death of Meletius John separated himself from the followers of Meletius without joining Paulinus the rival of Meletius for the bishopric of Antioch but after the death of Paulinus he was ordained a presbyter (that is a priest) in 386 by Evagrius the successor of Paulinus. He told visiting regional preachers to return to the churches they were meant to be serving—without any payout. There was also an earthquake the night of his arrest which Eudoxia took for a sign of God's anger prompting her to ask Arcadius for John's reinstatement.

The Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches honor him as a saint and count him among the Three Holy Hierarchs together with Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzus. John Chrysostom (c. John is known in Christianity chiefly as a preacher theologian and liturgist.