St. Paul

He was a student of Rabbi Gamaliel, and converted by the direct revelation of Jesus Christ, on the road to Damascus.

Paul’s preaching often either converted his listeners or left them enraged, and they often had him stoned, beaten with rods, flogged, imprisoned and falsely accused. When he reached the end of his earthly journey, he was beheaded in Rome – according to Tradition, on the same day St. Peter was crucified.

Now that’s great preaching!

St. Peter

He was a fisherman, and Jesus’ premier apostle during His earthly ministry, and after the Ascension. To him, Christ gave the Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. He preached in Jerusalem, converting over 3,000 souls on Pentecost. He also preached in Antioch and Rome. For his evangelistic successes in Rome, he was crucified upside down in a.d. 64.

Now that’s great preaching!

By St. John Chrysostom

The mighty preacher, St. John, Archbishop of Constantinople, provides an excellent example of his homiletic prowess in this sermon – as poignant today as it was then in the 4th century. It is easy to see why St. John is the patron saint of preachers.

Against those who say that demons govern human affairs, and who are displeased at the chastisement of God, and are offended by the prosperity of the wicked and the hardships of the Just.

I indeed was hoping, that from the continuance of my discourse, you would have had a surfeit of my words: but I see that the contrary is happening: that no surfeit is taking place from this continuance, but that your desire is increased, that an addition is made not to your satiety but to your pleasure, that the same thing is happening which the wine drinkers at heathen drinking-bouts experience; for they, the more they pour down unmixed wine, so much the rather they kindle their thirst, and in your case the more teaching we inculcate, so much the rather do we kindle your desire, we make your longing greater, your love for it the stronger. Read more

St. John Chrysostom

St. John was the Archbishop of Constantinople during the fourth century. He was fearless when denouncing sin in high places, and was a prolific writer, and bold preacher, unafraid to hit the topical issues of the day squarely between the eyes with all the subtlety of a ball peen hammer. He had many powerful enemies, but they feared him, and had him banished. He had to march, at the age of 60, to the place of his banishment, and died on the way. His last words were “Glory to God for all things!”

Now, that’s great preaching.

St. Maximus the Confessor

St. Maximus the Confessor was a monk and teacher, well versed in rhetoric and the classical arts. He wrote against false teachings about Christ when few would do so.

His enemies had little defense against his logic, and so rather than answer his arguments, they cut off his right hand and tore out his tongue, so that he would be able to neither preach nor write about the Truth.

Now that’s great preaching.

St. Leo the Great

St. Leo the Great was the bishop of Rome during difficult times. He was an eminent scholar of Scripture and rhetoric.

During an invasion by Attila the Hun, St. Leo met him outside the gates of Rome. After some short words, to everyone’s surprise, Attila turned and left.

Three years later, during an invasion by Genseric the Vandal, St. Leo’s intercession again saved the Eternal City from destruction.

Now that’s great preaching.

John the Baptist

St. John the Baptist was the Forerunner of our Lord Jesus Christ. We celebrate his nativity on June 24th.

He preached repentance to all, and though a celibate himself preached especially for the honor of marriage (to Herod and Herodias).

He preached for about 90 days, then was imprisoned and beheaded. You know when they want you dead after only 3 months of preaching, well…

Now that’s great preaching.

Prophet Jonah

The Prophet Jonah lived in the 8th century b.c.

Jonah preached to the people of Nineveh, and was so successful that not only did the king repent in sackcloth and ashes, but he ordered all his people to fast, and not just the people – even the cattle, in order to turn God from His righteous chastisement of the great city.

God did spare Nineveh.

Now that’s great preaching.