Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, First Series • VOLUME 9
Chrysostom — Priesthood, Ascetic Treatises & Homilies
SECTION 81
Well! did the captain who then counselled and urged him to the deed, [763] did the memory of past events induce him to slay? no one of these
Well! did the captain who then counselled and urged him to the deed, [763] did the memory of past events induce him to slay? no one of these things moved him: in fact the very facility for slaughter averted him from it: for he bethought him that God had put Saul in his hands for the purpose of furnishing ample ground and opportu…
1,798 wordsSECTION 82Homily
Homily against publishing the errors of the brethren, and uttering imprecations upon enemies. translated by r. blackburn, m.a., rector of selham, sussex, and late fellow of brasenose college, oxford. against publishing the errors of the brethren. ------------------------ HOMILY. Upon the not publishing the errors of the …
2,682 wordsSECTION 836. Prayer is a strong piece of armour and a great security. You heard yesterday how the three children, fettered as they were, destroyed the
6. Prayer is a strong piece of armour and a great security. You heard yesterday how the three children, fettered as they were, destroyed the power of the fire; how they trampled down the blaze; how they overcame the furnace, and conquered the operation of the element. Hear to-day again how the noble and great Isaac overcame the …
2,489 wordsSECTION 8411. But it is also worth hearing the very words of their prayer, and how the words are of a puerile mind; of how infantile a soul. I am asha
11. But it is also worth hearing the very words of their prayer, and how the words are of a puerile mind; of how infantile a soul. I am ashamed in truth when about to repeat them; but it is absolutely necessary to repeat them, and to imitate that coarse tongue. What then are the words? "Avenge me of my enemies, show them that I …
1,661 wordsSECTION 85INTRODUCTION TO THE TWO HOMILIES ON EUTROPIUS.
INTRODUCTION TO THE TWO HOMILIES ON EUTROPIUS. The interest of the two following discourses depends not only on their intrinsic value as specimens of Chrysostom's eloquence, but also on the singular and dramatic character of the incidents which gave occasion to them. Arcadius the Emperor of the East like his brother Honorius t…
2,051 wordsSECTION 86Homily I.
Homily I. On Eutropius, the eunuch, Patrician and Consul. 1. "Vanity of vanities, all is vanity"--it is always seasonable to utter this but more especially at the present time. Where are now the brilliant surroundings of thy consulship? where are the gleaming torches? Where is the dancing, and the noise of dancers' feet, and t…
2,521 wordsSECTION 87Homily II.
5. Moreover let me add some arguments which concern ourselves. For what pardon could you deserve, if the Emperor bears no resentment when he has been insulted, but ye who have experienced nothing of this kind display so much wrath? and how after this assembly has been dissolved will ye handle the holy mysteries, and repeat that …
2,639 wordsSECTION 884. So then I fear not an enemy's plots: one thing only do I fear, which is sin. If no one convicts me of sin, then let the whole world make
4. So then I fear not an enemy's plots: one thing only do I fear, which is sin. If no one convicts me of sin, then let the whole world make war upon me. For this kind of war only renders me more prosperous. Thus also do I wish to teach you a lesson. Fear not the devices of a potentate, but fear the power of sin. No man will do t…
2,664 wordsSECTION 899. For observe the Church, how, as I was saying, she is sometimes a bride, sometimes a daughter, sometimes a virgin, sometimes a bondmaid, s
9. For observe the Church, how, as I was saying, she is sometimes a bride, sometimes a daughter, sometimes a virgin, sometimes a bondmaid, sometimes a queen, sometimes a barren woman, sometimes a mountain, sometimes a garden, sometimes fruitful in children, sometimes a lily, sometimes a fountain: She is all things. Therefore hav…
2,376 wordsSECTION 9012. Hast thou seen a treasure more brilliant than royal treasures? For what can the pearl of a king do like that which the words of an Apost
12. Hast thou seen a treasure more brilliant than royal treasures? For what can the pearl of a king do like that which the words of an Apostle effected? Set crowns innumerable upon dead men, and they will not be raised: but one word went forth from an Apostle, and it brought back revoked nature, and restored it to its ancient co…
3,003 wordsSECTION 9116. Understand what is said, lest ye lose it: I am labouring to enable you to perceive it. The dowry of the bride then was divided into two
16. Understand what is said, lest ye lose it: I am labouring to enable you to perceive it. The dowry of the bride then was divided into two portions consisting of things present and things to come; things seen and things heard, things given and things taken on trust, things experienced, and things to be enjoyed hereafter; things…
2,118 wordsSECTION 92INTRODUCTION TO THE TREATISE THAT NO ONE CAN HARM THE MAN WHO DOES NOT INJURE HIMSELF.
INTRODUCTION TO THE TREATISE THAT NO ONE CAN HARM THE MAN WHO DOES NOT INJURE HIMSELF. This very beautiful treatise was composed when St. Chrysostom was in exile, probably not long before his death, and was sent with a letter to his great friend the deaconess Olympias in Constantinople. Plato in the 10th book of his Dialogue c…
1,058 wordsSECTION 93A TREATISE
A TREATISE TO PROVE THAT NO ONE CAN HARM THE MAN WHO DOES NOT INJURE HIMSELF. ------------------------ 1. I know well that to coarse-minded persons, who are greedy in the pursuit of present things, and are nailed to earth, and enslaved to physical pleasure, and have no strong hold upon spiritual ideas, this treatise will be o…
2,901 wordsSECTION 945. When then neither loss of money, nor slander, nor railing, nor banishment, nor diseases, nor tortures, nor that which seems more formidab
5. When then neither loss of money, nor slander, nor railing, nor banishment, nor diseases, nor tortures, nor that which seems more formidable than all, namely death, harms those who suffer them, but rather adds to their profit, whence can you prove to me that any one is injured when he is not injured at all from any of these th…
2,419 wordsSECTION 958. But if you disbelieve my statement study the physical condition, and the soul of each class. Are not the bodies vigorous of those who liv
8. But if you disbelieve my statement study the physical condition, and the soul of each class. Are not the bodies vigorous of those who live thus moderately (for do not tell me of that which rarely happens, although some may be weak from some other circumstance, but form your judgment from those instances which are of constant …
2,372 wordsSECTION 9612. Thus in no case will any one be able to injure a man who does not choose to injure himself: but if a man is not willing to be temperate,
12. Thus in no case will any one be able to injure a man who does not choose to injure himself: but if a man is not willing to be temperate, and to aid himself from his own resources no one will ever be able to profit him. Therefore also that wonderful history of the Holy Scriptures, as in some lofty, large, and broad picture, h…
2,623 wordsSECTION 9716. Dost thou then perceive that if a man does not injure himself, no one else will be able to harm him? Behold at least youthfulness, and c
16. Dost thou then perceive that if a man does not injure himself, no one else will be able to harm him? Behold at least youthfulness, and captivity and destitution, and removal into a foreign land, and loneliness, and dearth of protectors, and a stern command, and great fear of death assailing the mind of the eunuch, and povert…
1,704 wordsSECTION 98INTRODUCTION TO THE LETTERS TO OLYMPIAS.
INTRODUCTION TO THE LETTERS TO OLYMPIAS. The deaconess Olympias to whom seventeen of Chrysostom's extant letters are addressed was the most eminent of his female friends. She belonged to a Pagan family of high rank, and was born about 368. Her father Seleucus who was a count of the Empire died when she was a young girl and she …
2,830 wordsSECTION 994. But since you call to mind many who were offended and went astray, how many of the disciples do you suppose were offended at the time of
4. But since you call to mind many who were offended and went astray, how many of the disciples do you suppose were offended at the time of the crucifixion? One betrayed Him, the others took to flight, one denied Him, and when all had abandoned Him He was led away bound without companions. How many then think you who had lately …
2,380 wordsSECTION 1002. What is it then which I say and write? Nothing, Olympias, redounds so much to the credit of any one as patient endurance in suffering. Fo
2. What is it then which I say and write? Nothing, Olympias, redounds so much to the credit of any one as patient endurance in suffering. For this is indeed the queen of virtues, and the perfection of crowns; and as it excels all other forms of righteousness, so this particular species of it is more glorious than the rest. Perha…
2,698 wordsSECTION 101[932] Phil. iii. 1.
[932] Phil. iii. 1. [933] Jer. xv. [934] Sc. Job. [935] Job ii. 4. [936] Matt. v. 20. [937] Phil. i. 23, 24. [938] Luke xvi. [939] Referring to the hospitality of Abraham as illustrated by his reception of the divine visitors, Gen. xviii. [940] 1 Cor. v. 5. [941] 1 Cor. xi. 27. [942] 1 Cor. xi. 30. [943] 1 Cor. xi. 31…
2,616 wordsSECTION 1022. Now when I arrived late one evening at Cæsarea, in an exhausted and worn-out condition, being in the very height of a burning fever, fain
2. Now when I arrived late one evening at Cæsarea, in an exhausted and worn-out condition, being in the very height of a burning fever, faint and suffering to the last degree, I lighted upon an inn situated just at the outskirts of the city, and took great pains to find some physicians and allay this fiery fever; for it was now …
2,380 wordsSECTION 1035. Do not cease to pay attention to Maruthas the Bishop, as far as it concerns you, so as to lift him up out of the pit. [956] For I have sp
5. Do not cease to pay attention to Maruthas the Bishop, as far as it concerns you, so as to lift him up out of the pit. [956] For I have special need of him on account of the affairs in Persia. And ascertain from him, if you can, what has been accomplished there through his agency, and for what purpose he has come home, and let…
2,298 wordsSECTION 104INTRODUCTION TO THE CORRESPONDENCE OF ST. CHRYSOSTOM, AND THE CHURCH AT CONSTANTINOPLE, WITH INNOCENT, BISHOP OF ROME.
[959] Rom. xiii. 8. correspondence of st. chrysostom with the bishop of rome translated with introduction and notes by rev. w. r. w. stephens, m.a., prebendary of chichester cathedral, and rector of woolbeding, sussex. INTRODUCTION TO THE CORRESPONDENCE OF ST. CHRYSOSTOM, AND THE CHURCH AT CONSTANTINOPLE, WITH INNOCENT, BIS…
2,850 wordsSECTION 1054. All which happened afterwards I leave you to imagine; for as I said before it is not possible to describe each separate incident. The wor
4. All which happened afterwards I leave you to imagine; for as I said before it is not possible to describe each separate incident. The worst of it is that these evils, great and serious as they are, have not even now been suppressed nor is there any hope of their suppression; on the contrary the mischief is extending itself ev…
2,696 wordsSECTION 106PREFACE TO THE BENEDICTINE EDITION.
[966] I have followed the Latin here. The Greek version of the passage seems to me hopelessly confused. [967] The Council of Sardica was convened A.D. 343, (or A.D. 344?) with a view of settling the Arian controversy. The Oriental bishops, however, of whom the majority belonged to the Arian faction, seceded from Sardica, and he…
2,294 wordsSECTION 107The first Homily, then, was delivered a few days before the sedition at Antioch, as is discoverable from these words in No. (3) of the secon
The first Homily, then, was delivered a few days before the sedition at Antioch, as is discoverable from these words in No. (3) of the second Homily; "I lately protracted a long discourse to your charity and I have received [981] reward for my labours. But what was the reward? To punish the blasphemers in the city, and to chasti…
2,573 wordsSECTION 108The fourteenth Tillemont thinks ought to be placed after the eighteenth; influenced by this reason, that Chrysostom says at the beginning, "
The fourteenth Tillemont thinks ought to be placed after the eighteenth; influenced by this reason, that Chrysostom says at the beginning, "Not a little did the devil yesterday disturb our city, but God hath also not a little comforted us again." These words, he observes, denote that the arrival of Hellebichus, and of news from …
2,271 wordsSECTION 109Homily I.
[977] The second before Easter. It has lately become common to call the week immediately before Easter "Passion Week," but this name belongs to the week before it. The proper title of the last is the "Great" or "Holy" Week. [978] "Feriam sextam Quadragesima." This looks like a reprint, as he is more definite. [979] As now in t…
2,409 wordsSECTION 1108. But before I proceed to solve these questions, permit me to say something of the virtue of Timothy, and of the loving care of Paul. For w
8. But before I proceed to solve these questions, permit me to say something of the virtue of Timothy, and of the loving care of Paul. For what was ever more tender hearted than this man, who being so far distant, and encircled with so many cares, exercised so much consideration for the health of his disciple's stomach, and wrot…
2,499 wordsSECTION 11114. For of the diversified and manifold affliction which befalls the saints, I have reasons eight in number to declare unto your love. There
14. For of the diversified and manifold affliction which befalls the saints, I have reasons eight in number to declare unto your love. Therefore let all direct themselves to me with the strictest attention, knowing that there will be no pardon nor excuse left us hereafter for stumbling at the things which happen, if after all, w…
2,539 wordsSECTION 11219. It is tried gold! Try it as thou desirest; examine it as thou wishest, thou wilt not find in it any dross. This shows us not only the fo
19. It is tried gold! Try it as thou desirest; examine it as thou wishest, thou wilt not find in it any dross. This shows us not only the fortitude of others, but also brings much farther [1042] consolation; for what saith Christ, "Blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil again…
2,278 wordsSECTION 11329. Saying these things to thyself, give thanks unto the Lord, that he hath made thee to be of this part, not hating thee, but loving thee g
29. Saying these things to thyself, give thanks unto the Lord, that he hath made thee to be of this part, not hating thee, but loving thee greatly; since He would not have permitted those men either to suffer thus, if he had not exceedingly loved them, because He made them more illustrious by these evils. There is nothing so goo…
2,211 wordsSECTION 114[1005] See on Rom. xvi. 5, Hom. XXXI.
[1005] See on Rom. xvi. 5, Hom. XXXI. [1006] An old translation has "slight," as if it were mikr?. [1007] He appears to have acted beyond his local charge, as in joining in the address of several Epistles (see 2 Cor. i. 1, Phil. i. 1, Col. i. 1), and in various missions, as Phil. ii. 19, 22. [1008] 2 Tim. ii. 26. [1009] i. e…
1,284 wordsSECTION 115Homily II.
Homily II. Spoken in Antioch in the Old Church, as it was called, while he was a presbyter, on the subject of the calamity that had befallen the city in consequence of the tumult connected with the overthrow of the Statues of the Emperor Theodosius, the Great and Pious. And on the saying of the Apostle, "Charge them that are ri…
2,366 wordsSECTION 11610. I made a prolonged discourse lately unto you beloved, and yet I saw all following it up, and no one turning back in the middle of the co
10. I made a prolonged discourse lately unto you beloved, and yet I saw all following it up, and no one turning back in the middle of the course. [1093] I return thanks to you for that readiness, and have received the reward of my labours. But there was another reward, besides that attention, which I asked of you at that time; p…
2,234 wordsSECTION 11716. Let us too, then, adorn not our houses, but our souls in preference to the house. For is it not disgraceful to clothe our walls with mar
16. Let us too, then, adorn not our houses, but our souls in preference to the house. For is it not disgraceful to clothe our walls with marble, vainly and to no end, and to neglect Christ going about naked? What does thy house profit thee, O man! For wilt thou take it with thee when thou departest? This thou canst not take with…
2,658 wordsSECTION 11823. The same thing happens as every one may perceive with regard to sleep. For not a soft couch, nor a bedstead overlaid with silver, nor th
23. The same thing happens as every one may perceive with regard to sleep. For not a soft couch, nor a bedstead overlaid with silver, nor the quietness that exists throughout the house, nor anything else of this kind, are so generally wont to make sleep sweet and pleasant, as labour and fatigue, and the need of sleep, and drowsi…
2,255 wordsSECTION 119Homily III.
Homily III. On the departure of Flavian, [1125] Bishop of Antioch, who was gone on an embassy to the Emperor Theodosius, on behalf of the city. Of the dignity of the Priesthood. What is true fasting. Slander worse than devouring the human body. And finally of those who had been put to death on account of the sedition; and again…
2,252 wordsSECTION 1207. Let us not then despair of our safety, but let us pray; let us make invocation; let us supplicate; let us go on embassy to the King that
7. Let us not then despair of our safety, but let us pray; let us make invocation; let us supplicate; let us go on embassy to the King that is above with many tears! We have this fast too as an ally, and as an assistant in this good intercession. Therefore, as when the winter is over and the summer is appearing, the sailor draws…
2,497 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.