The legend of the penance of Saint John Chrysostom John Chrysostom



the penance of st. john chrysostom. engraving lucas cranach elder, 1509. saint can seen in background on fours, whilst princess , baby dominate foreground.


a late medieval legend (not included in golden legend) relates that, when john chrysostom hermit in desert, approached royal princess in distress. saint, thinking demon, @ first refused her, princess convinced him christian , devoured wild beasts if not allowed enter cave. therefore admitted her, dividing cave in 2 parts, 1 each of them. in spite of these precautions, sin of fornication committed, , in attempt hide distraught saint took princess , threw on precipice. went rome beg absolution, refused. realising appalling nature of crimes, chrysostom made vow never rise ground until sins expiated, , years lived beast, crawling on fours , feeding on wild grasses , roots. subsequently, princess reappeared, alive, , suckling saint s baby, miraculously pronounced sins forgiven. last scene popular late 15th century onwards subject engravers , artists. theme depicted albrecht dürer around 1496, hans sebald beham , lucas cranach elder, among others. martin luther mocked same legend in die lügend von s. johanne chrysostomo (1537). legend recorded in croatia in 16th century.








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