John’s Boldness for God

When the great John had taken the helm of the church, he boldly rebuked certain wrongdoers, gave timely counsel to the emperor and the empress, and charged the clergy to live by the laws laid down for them. Those who broke these laws he forbade to come near the churches, insisting that men who showed no wish to live the life of true priests ought not to enjoy a priest’s honor. He showed this care for the church not only in Constantinople but throughout the whole of Thrace, which is divided into six provinces, and likewise throughout Asia, which is ruled by eleven governors. Pontica too, which has as many rulers as Asia, he happily brought under the same discipline. [a]