Our venerable and God-bearing Father '''John of Damascus''' (c. 676 - [[December 5,]] 749) was also known as ''John Damascene, Chrysorrhoas,'' "streaming with gold," (i.e., the golden speaker). He was born and raised in Damascus, in all probability at the [[Monastery of Saint Sabbas]] (''Mar Saba''), South East of Jerusalem. His feast day in the [[Orthodox Church]] is [[December 4]]. He is also recognized as a [[saint]] in the [[Roman Catholic Church]].