San Giovanni Crisostomo, Venice

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The church of St John the Golden-Mouthed (the saint is usually referred to as John Chrysostom in English, Crisostomo or Grisostomo in Italian) is a small church in the sestiere or neighborhood of Castello, Venice.

The church was founded in 1080, destroyed by fire in 1475, then rebuilt starting in 1497 by Mauro Codussi and his son, Domenico. Construction was completed in 1525. The Campanile dates from the late 16th century. The interior is based on a greek cross design.

Behind the facade are hung two canvases, formerly organ doors, by Giovanni Mansueti depicting Saints Onophrius, Agatha, Andrew and John Chrysostom. Onuphrius was the co-titular patron saint who was revered by the confraternity of the Tentori (dyers of fabrics, covers, and sheets). In 1516, a relic of the saint, his finger, was donated to this church.

The chapel on the right has a Saints Jerome, Christopher, and Louis (1513) by Giovanni Bellini. On the left rear, the chapel of the Rosary has a crowded altarpiece of Saints John Chrysostom seated, John the Baptist, John the Evangelist, Theodore, Magdalen, Lucy, and Catherine by Sebastiano del Piombo, commissioned by Caterina Contarini. On the wall of the apse are a series of canvases on the life of St. John Chrysostom and Christ. On the high altar is a Deposition relief. At left is the chapel built for Giacomo Bernabo, with sculptural design by Codussi. The marble altarpiece of the Coronation of the Virgin (1500-1502) was completed by Tullio Lombardo.

[edit] References

• Manno, Antonio (2004). in The Rizzoli Art Guides: The Treasures of Venice. 300 Park avenue South, New York, NY 10010: Rizzoli International Publications, pages 292-294.