Catholic Saints Podcast: St. John of Damascus
Host: Mary
Guest: Dr. Carl Vennerstrom, Augustine Institute
Date: December 4, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode delves into the life, influence, and enduring legacy of St. John of Damascus (c. 680–749), a key figure bridging early Christian thought and later Eastern and Western theological traditions. Dr. Carl Vennerstrom joins Mary to explore how St. John’s heritage, defense of icons, extensive writings, and devotion to Mary continue to shape the Church.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Historical and Cultural Context of St. John’s Life
- [02:06] St. John’s Background
- Born into an elite Christian family in Muslim-ruled Damascus, Syria in 680.
- Grew up in a world where Christians were often part of the Muslim bureaucracy.
- Received an advanced education in both Arabic and Greek, encouraged by his father.
- “For five or six hundred years over half of the world’s Christians lived under Islamic rule. They spoke Arabic, they worshiped in Arabic.” (Dr. Carl, 04:49)
- Damascus features in biblical history, including the Acts of the Apostles ([03:34]).
2. Role and Challenges as a Christian Official
- St. John followed his father’s footsteps in civil service within the Islamic Caliphate.
- This unique position allowed him to influence both Christian and Muslim contexts.
3. The Iconoclast Controversy and Defense of Icons
- [05:31] Dramatic Church Conflict:
- St. John became embroiled in the iconoclasm controversy: a movement in the Byzantine Empire to ban religious images as idolatrous.
- He wrote influential defenses of icons; his argument: "The Incarnation makes it possible for us to depict Christ. … It's still a true image that deserves our respect." (Dr. Carl, 06:55)
- Miraculous Story ([07:53]):
- Accused falsely of plotting against the Caliph by Byzantine Emperor’s instigation, St. John’s hand was cut off.
- After praying before an icon of the Madonna and Child, his hand was miraculously restored – a detail commemorated in the famous “three hands” icon in Eastern churches.
- “After they parade him through the streets … he prays before this icon … when he wakes up, his hand is attached.” (Dr. Carl, 08:18)
4. Transition to Monasticism and Legacy in Theology
- St. John left public life to become a monk in Jerusalem, seeking spiritual growth and obedience.
- “He sought out this special spiritual father and then was heroically obedient to him.” (Dr. Carl, 09:34)
- Eventually ordained a priest, admired for his wisdom.
5. Writings and Doctrinal Influence
- St. John is considered the last of the Greek Church Fathers:
- Compiled and synthesized the teaching of many previous Fathers—“a man of the Church … he wants to take as great an advantage as he can of the heritage of the Church” (Dr. Carl, 12:09).
- Major works:
- On the Orthodox Faith: systematic theology.
- Against Heresies, including one of the first Christian critiques of Islam (“heresy of the Ishmaelites”).
- Patron saint of icon painters, theology students, and possibly pharmacists due to his broad intellectual pursuits ([11:31]).
6. Spiritual Legacy and Marian Devotion
- St. John’s deep devotion to Mary is still reflected in liturgical hymns, especially in Eastern traditions.
- The “Dormition” feast marks Mary’s assumption, emphasizing her role through John's poetry:
- “Come, people of God, draw near to this sepulcher … Take from our hands this solemn processional Mother of mysteries. Keep us in the shade of your protecting hand.” (Dr. Carl reading St. John's canon, 15:53–16:33)
7. Theological Defense of Materiality and Icons
- Icons and senses:
- “We don't need to pretend that we're angels. … Part of being holy is admitting that we're physical persons and using our physicality, our material bodies, as the means of our salvation.” (Dr. Carl, 17:31)
- Icons are fitting because “God became man in order to bring about salvation, so he took material flesh” ([17:15]).
- In the East, icons have a semi-sacramental status.
8. Model for Modern Christians
- St. John as an example of Christian fidelity in a non-Christian society.
- Dr. Carl urges listeners to remember and pray for Middle Eastern Christians today ([19:03]).
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
“The Incarnation makes it possible for us to depict Christ.”
(Dr. Carl Vennerstrom, 06:55) -
John’s Restored Hand and the Icon:
“When he wakes up, his hand is attached. John attributes this to Our Lady’s intercession.”
(Dr. Carl, 08:20) -
On Church Tradition:
“Until fairly recent in history, things that were new were considered bad. Insofar as something was old, it was good.”
(Dr. Carl, 13:00) -
St. John’s Marian Hymn:
“Come, people of God, draw near to this sepulcher. … Mother of mysteries. Keep us in the shade of your protecting hand. … Give peace to us sinners. Pardon and deliverance. Bring us all to that bliss which we celebrate.”
(Dr. Carl, quoting St. John, 15:53–16:33) -
On the Importance of Icons:
“We don't need to pretend that we're angels. … Part of being holy is admitting that we're physical persons and using our material bodies as the means of our salvation.”
(Dr. Carl, 17:31)
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 02:06: St. John of Damascus’ heritage and education
- 05:31: Iconoclasm controversy explained
- 07:53: Story of St. John’s hand and the three hands icon
- 09:16: Move to monastic life in Jerusalem
- 10:53: St. John’s contributions as a writer and theologian
- 12:09: His model of drawing from Church tradition
- 13:17: Devotion to the Virgin Mary and the Dormition Feast
- 15:53: Reading from St. John's canon on Mary's Dormition
- 16:50: St. John’s theology of icons and human senses
- 19:03: Reflection on Christian life under adversity and connection to the present
Conclusion
This episode presents St. John of Damascus as a bridge between cultures and eras: an educated Christian in the Islamic world, a courageous defender of icons, and a synthesizer of Christian tradition. His insights into the role of materiality and tradition remain vital, especially for Christians navigating faith in challenging times. His Marian devotion and spiritual poetry inspire continued veneration in both East and West.
St. John of Damascus—pray for us!