John of Damascus

Saint John of Damascus Ἰωάννης ὁ Δαμασκηνός (Greek) Ioannes Damascenus (Latin) يوحنا الدمشقي (Arabic)
Saint John Damascene (Arabic icon)
Doctor of the Church
Born	c. 675 or 676 Damascus, Bilad al-Sham, Umayyad Caliphate
Died	December 4, 749(749-12-04) Mar Saba, Jerusalem, Bilad al-Sham, Umayyad Caliphate
Canonized	Pre-Congregation by Eastern Orthodox Church Roman Catholic Church Anglican Communion Commemorated in Lutheranism
Feast	December 4 March 27 (General Roman Calendar 1890–1969)
Attributes	Severed hand, icon
Patronage	Pharmacists, icon painters, theology students

Saint John of Damascus (Medieval Greek Ἰωάννης ὁ Δαμασκηνός, Ioánnis o Damaskinós, Byzantine Greek pronunciation: [ioˈanis o ðamasciˈnos]; Latin: Ioannes Damascenus), Arabic: يوحنا الدمشقي‎‎, ALA-LC: Yūḥannā ad-Dimashqī); also known as John Damascene and as Χρυσορρόας / Chrysorrhoas (literally "streaming with gold"—i.e., "the golden speaker"; c. 675 or 676 – 4 December 749) was a Syrian monk and priest. Born and raised in Damascus, he died at his monastery, Mar Saba, near Jerusalem.

A polymath whose fields of interest and contribution included law, theology, philosophy, and music, he is said by some sources to have served as a Chief Administrator to the Muslim caliph of Damascus before his ordination. He wrote works expounding the Christian faith, and composed hymns which are still used both liturgically in Eastern Christian practice throughout the world as well as in western Lutheranism at Easter. He is one of the Fathers of the Eastern Orthodox church and is best known for his strong defense of icons. The Catholic Church regards him as a Doctor of the Church, often referred to as the Doctor of the Assumption due to his writings on the Assumption of Mary.