December 4
St. John of Damascus (645 - 749)
A polymath whose fields of interest and contribution included law, theology, philosophy, and music, he is said by some sources to have served as a Chief Administrator to the Muslim caliph of Damascus before his ordination. He wrote works expounding the Christian faith, and composed hymns which are still used liturgically in Eastern Christian practice throughout the world. He is considered "the last of the Fathers" of the Eastern Orthodox church
and is best known for his strong defense of icons.
The Catholic Church regards him as a Doctor of the Church,
often referred to as the Doctor of the Assumption due to his writings on the Assumption of Mary.
