Translation of the relics (437) of St John Chrysostom.
In the year after the Saint's
repose both the Emperor Arcadius and his wife Eudoxia, who had been most
responsible for St John's exile, died. Their son Theodosius II succeeded to the throne.
Soon most of the exiled supporters of St John were restored to their sees. In 434 St
Proclus, a disciple of St John Chrysostom, was made Archbishop of Constantinople, and
persuaded the Emperor to have St John's relics solemnly translated from Comana to
Constantinople. But all efforts to disinter his remains failed, as if his coffin were sealed
in the earth. Learning of this, the Emperor wrote a letter to St John asking forgiveness
for his father's persecution, and pleading with him to agree to return to the Imperial
City for the benefit of the faithful. As soon as this letter was placed over the Saint's
tomb, his coffin was removed with no difficulty and conveyed solemnly to
Constantinople.
When the cortege reached Constantinople, the Emperor met it and prostrated
himself before it, once again begging the Saint's forgiveness for the sins of the State
against him. At last, the relics were deposited beneath the altar of the Church of the
Holy Apostles, where they worked many miracles during the celebration of the Liturgy.
Since then, the relics have been scattered throughout the world, where they never fail to
reveal the Saint's loving presence.
source: http://www.abbamoses.com
