St John of Damascus

John was born in Damascus to a distinguished Christian family that served in the administration of the Umayyad caliphate, a post John himself held in his youth. When the emperor Leo the Isaurian launched the assault on the holy icons, John — safely beyond imperial reach — wrote his three treatises in their defense, arguing that since the Word became visible flesh, He may be depicted, and distinguishing the veneration of images from worship due to God alone. He later gave away his wealth and became a monk at the monastery of St Sabbas near Jerusalem, where he was ordained priest. His Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith summarized the doctrine of the Greek Fathers and shaped theology East and West for centuries. He composed the Paschal canon and much of the funeral service, and is counted the last of the great Eastern Fathers.

St John of Damascus is also one of the Church Fathers — read their biography, works, and verse-by-verse commentary.