Calendar of Saints: John of Damascus (1)

Twice a week I post a quote from saints from the Episcopal Calendar of Saints that week. They are to be meditative and mindful, playful and thought inducing. I hope they are helpful in your spiritual journeys.

John of Damascus (676-750)
Hymn-writer, Defender of Icons
December 4

John is generally accounted "the last of the Fathers". He was the son of a Christian official at the court of the Moslem khalif Abdul Malek, and succeeded to his father's office.

 John is known as a hymn-writer. Two of his hymns are sung in English at Easter ("Come ye faithful, raise the strain" and "The Day of Resurrection! Earth, tell it out abroad!"). Many more are sung in the Eastern Church.


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