John of Damascus

Also: John Damascene, Yuhanna ibn Mansur, Chrysorrhoas

Born perhaps between 650 and 680, in Damascus, Syria. Died probably between 749 and 754, probably in Lavra of Saint Sabas (now Mar Saba, West Bank).

A Christian from a family of high officials under the caliphs of Damascus, who became a monk near Jerusalem. He defended holy images and wrote a summary of the teaching of the Greek fathers.

Wrote in Greek. A major author.

Places lived

675 to 706Damascus, Syriaofficial of the caliphyears not sureHe left office about 706 or later; some say as late as the 720s.
716 to 749Lavra of Saint Sabas (now Mar Saba, West Bank)monk and priestyears not sure, place probable

Works

6 works, in the order they were written. 4 works can be read here.

Three Treatises on Holy Imagesc. 726 to 745 · by tradition in Lavra of Saint Sabas (now Mar Saba, West Bank) · treatiseThree defences of holy images against the emperor Leo III.28,691 words
An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faithc. 730 to 750 · by tradition in Lavra of Saint Sabas (now Mar Saba, West Bank) · treatiseOne hundred chapters that sum up the teaching of the Greek fathers; part three of The Fount of Knowledge.81,230 words
Homilies on the Dormitionc. 730 to 750 · probably in Hierosolyma (now Jerusalem) · homilyThree sermons for 15 August on the death of Mary and her passing to heaven.14,006 words
On Heresiesc. 730 to 750 · by tradition in Lavra of Saint Sabas (now Mar Saba, West Bank) · treatiseA list of one hundred heresies, the last of them Islam; part two of The Fount of Knowledge.not yet on the site
Philosophical Chaptersc. 730 to 750 · by tradition in Lavra of Saint Sabas (now Mar Saba, West Bank) · treatiseThe terms of logic that theology needs; part one of The Fount of Knowledge.not yet on the site

Filed here, not written by John of Damascus

These texts are about this person, hold what this person said, or carry this name without good reason. Each page says which.

Hymns and Canons by traditionfirst half of the eighth century · by tradition in Great Laura of Sabas (now Mar Saba, West Bank) · poemA selection of the hymns that the Greek church gives to John of Damascus, with the Easter canon first, in Neale's English verse.15,673 words

How we know the dates and places

Born not sure: No ancient source. Scholars say about 655 or 675. See Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, 3rd ed. rev. (2005), 'John of Damascus'.
Place of birth sure: Acts of the Second Council of Nicaea (787), session 6; the Greek and Arabic Lives
Died probable: The council of Hieria (754) speaks of him as dead
The traditional date is 4 December 749.
Place of death probable: The Greek Life of John of Damascus
Some scholars place him in a monastery in Jerusalem itself.
Damascus, years not sure: Acts of the Second Council of Nicaea (787), session 6; the Greek and Arabic Lives
Damascus, place sure: Acts of the Second Council of Nicaea (787), session 6; the Greek and Arabic Lives
Lavra of Saint Sabas, years not sure: The Greek Life of John of Damascus; his sermons given at Jerusalem
Lavra of Saint Sabas, place probable: The Greek Life of John of Damascus; his sermons given at Jerusalem