John Chrysostom, as patriarch of Constantinople, has proven himself a courageous and faithful administrator, implementing a series of reforms in his diocese.
John’s asceticism is at odds with the luxurious tone of the age, and he finds himself incapable of subservience to the emperor Arcadius and his domineering wife, Eudoxia who, although an earnest Christian, quarrels bitterly with the patriarch.
Tactless and idealistic to the point of bigotry, the patriarch repeatedly denounces Arcadius' court for immorality and frivolity.
At this time Chrysostom delivers a sermon against the vain luxury of women.
It is reported to the empress as though Chrysostom had been referring to her personally, which only embitters her more against the Patriarch.
Theophilus, Patriarch of Alexandria, at last appears at Constantinople in June, 403, not alone, as he had been commanded, but with twenty-nine of his suffragan bishops, and, as Palladius tells us, with a good deal of money and all sorts of gifts.
He takes his lodgings in one of the imperial palaces, and holds conferences with all the adversaries of Chrysostom.
Then he retires with his suffragans and seven other bishops to a villa near Constantinople, called Epi Dryn.
A long list of unfounded accusations is drawn up against Chrysostom, whose powerful enemies unite to condemn and depose him at the illegal Synod of the Oaks.
The synod now consists of forty-two archbishops and bishops, many of whom are Syrian and Egyptian bishops inimical to him brought by Theophilus.
The synod, assembled to judge Theophilus in accordance with the orders of the emperor, now summons Chrysostom to present himself and apologize.
Severian, Bishop of Gabala in Syria, whom Chrysostom had previously ordered to leave Constantinople because of his involvement in a plot against the patriarch, serves as prosecutor.
Chrysostom naturally refuses to recognize the legality of a synod in which his open enemies are judges.
After the third summons, Chrysostom, with the consent of the emperor, is declared to be deposed.
In order to avoid useless bloodshed, he surrenders himself on the third day to the soldiers who await him, but the threats of the excited people, and a sudden accident in the imperial palace, frighten the empress, who, fearing some punishment from heaven for Chrysostom's exile, immediately orders his recall.
After some hesitation, Chrysostom reenters the capital amid the great rejoicing of the people.
Theophilus and his party save themselves by fleeing from Constantinople.
