John of Antioch lives in an imperfect world. Caught up in clashes of church and state, he experiences wars, beheadings, political infighting and corruption while seeking to serve both God and conscience. The Roman Empire's final half-century plays out on a Byzantine stage as John evolves from loyal son to hermit, deacon, priest and finally bishop in Constantinople. Syria in A.D. 352 to 407 is as tumultuous as in our own time. Religious and political...