John Damascene was the son of a seventh-century Syrian civil servant, early in the Islamic era. John and his brother Cosmas, an adopted orphan, were thoroughly educated, and later renounced their secular careers to become monks. Far from inhibiting their calling, living among Muslims actually helped when in 730 John was embroiled in a controversy over Christian art.

John, living in a Muslim land, was free to oppose the ban on religious art imposed at home by the Roman Emperor and his clergy, and contributed significantly to its repeal, though he did not live to see it. He also wrote an influential treatise on theology, and joined Cosmas in composing many of the Eastern churches best-loved hymns.

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