St. John Damascene
Feast day: December 4
Born in Damascus, Syria, John was the last of the Greek Fathers. He succeeded his father as chief representative of the Christian community to the caliph in Damascus, then under Islamic rule. After serving several years, he was forced to resign his post because of his Christian faith. He entered a monastery near Jerusalem, where he concentrated his energies on prayer and writing. He produced 150 works on theology, philosophy and religious education, as well as a defense of the veneration of icons and numerous hymns. Pope Leo XIII declared him a Doctor of the Church in 1890.
Collect
Grant, we pray, O Lord,
that we may be helped by the prayers
of the Priest Saint John Damascene,
so that the true faith,
which he excelled in teaching,
may always be our light and our strength.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
