[Omslag] The second half of the fourth century AD was a turbulent time. Bishops came and went, monks rioted and Christianity struggled to gain a foothold against competing religions as increasingly it came to exert its influence. Just as often Christian groups fought each other for power and influence. From the midst of this turmoil a number of outstanding figures arose to dominate the ecclesiastical and political landscape. One of the most remarkable was John Chrysostom. This book examines John Chrysostom's role as a preacher and his pastoral activities as presbyter and bishop. The authors draw together the latest research on preaching, the preacher's audience and pastoral care in a comprehensive introduction. They also provide fresh and lively translations of a key selection of sermons and letters which allow John Chrysostom to speak on these topics in his own words. John Chrysostom presents a valuable introduction to the processes of Christianisation, the roles of elites in the church, the offices of presbyter and bishop, and the place of the church in late antique society.