Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series • VOLUME 7
Cyril of Jerusalem & Gregory Nazianzen
SECTION 1
A SELECT LIBRARY
Title: NPNF2-07. Cyril of Jerusalem, Gregory Nazianzen Creator(s): Schaff, Philip (1819-1893) (Editor) Print Basis: New York: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1893 Rights: Public Domain CCEL Subjects: All; Proofed; Early Church; LC Call no: BR60 LC Subjects: Christianity Early Christian Literature. Fathers of the Church, e…
2,313 wordsSECTION 2The date of his consecration is approximately determined by his own letter to Constantius concerning the appearance of a luminous cross in t
The date of his consecration is approximately determined by his own letter to Constantius concerning the appearance of a luminous cross in the sky at Jerusalem. The letter was written on the 7th of May, 351, and is described by Cyril as the first-fruit of his Episcopate. He must therefore have been consecrated in 350, or early i…
2,431 wordsSECTION 3In the end Acacius and many of his friends were deposed or excommunicated. Some of these, however, in defiance of the sentence of the Counci
In the end Acacius and many of his friends were deposed or excommunicated. Some of these, however, in defiance of the sentence of the Council, returned to their dioceses, as did also the majority who had deposed them. It is not expressly stated whether any formal decision on the case of Cyril was adopted by the Council: but as …
2,244 wordsSECTION 4Gregory of Nyssa, who had been commissioned by a Council held at Antioch in 378 to visit the Churches in Arabia and Palestine, "because matt
Gregory of Nyssa, who had been commissioned by a Council held at Antioch in 378 to visit the Churches in Arabia and Palestine, "because matters with them were in confusion, and needed an arbiter," gives a mournful account both of the distracted state of the Church, and of the prevailing corruption. "If the Divine grace were more…
1,411 wordsSECTION 5Chapter II.--Catechetical Instruction.
Chapter II.--Catechetical Instruction. § 1. Catechesis. The term "Catechesis" in its widest sense includes instruction by word of mouth on any subject sacred or profane [73] , but is especially applied to Christian teaching, whether of an elementary kind appropriate to new converts, or, as in the famous Catechetical School of A…
2,235 wordsSECTION 6Whether Cyril calls his hearers Christians before they had been baptized is not very clear: in Cat. x. § 16, he seems to include them among
Whether Cyril calls his hearers Christians before they had been baptized is not very clear: in Cat. x. § 16, he seems to include them among those who are called by the "new name;" but in § 20 of the same Lecture he assumes that there may be present some one who "was before a believer (pistos)," and to him he says "Thou wert call…
2,200 wordsSECTION 7Chapter III.--Special Preparation for Baptism.
[97] Procat. § 1. [98] Ib. § 17. [99] See Cat. i. 3; iii. 3, 13; iv. 36, xvii. 36; xxi. 4. [100] Procat. § 1. [101] Antiq. X. ii. § 6. [102] Procat. § 6. [103] Cat. i. 4. [104] Ib. v. 1. [105] lampades numphagogias, Procat. § 1. [106] Cat. i. § 1. [107] Bingham, Ant. X. ii. § 15. [108] Dict. Chr. Antiq. Vol. ii. p. 99…
2,201 wordsSECTION 8Chapter IV.--Ceremonies of Baptism and Chrism.
[122] Cat. i. [123] Cat. ii. [124] Ps. xlii. 5; xliii. 4, 5 (exomologesomai); and Ps. c. 4 (e? exomologesei). [125] Matt. xi. 25; Phil. ii. 11. [126] Ps. ix. 1: 'Exomologesomai soi, Kurie. [127] Joshua vii. 19, Sept. exomologesin. [128] Matt. iii. 6; Mark i. 5; James iii. 16. [129] Irenæus, I. xiii. § 5; III. iv. § 3; Cle…
2,313 wordsSECTION 9In which of these ways the threefold interrogation ("usitata et legitima verba interrogationis") was made at Jerusalem, is not quite certain
In which of these ways the threefold interrogation ("usitata et legitima verba interrogationis") was made at Jerusalem, is not quite certain from Cyril's words: "Each was asked, Dost thou believe in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, and ye made that saving confession, and went down thrice into the wa…
1,634 wordsSECTION 10Chapter V.--Eucharistic Rites. Liturgy.
Chapter V.--Eucharistic Rites. Liturgy. § 1. First Communion. When the rites of Baptism and Chrism were completed, the new-made Christians, clothed in white robes (Myst. iv. 8), and bearing each a lighted taper in his hand, passed in procession from the Baptistery into the great "Church of the Resurrection." The time was still …
2,255 wordsSECTION 11Chapter VI.--Effects of Baptism and of Chrism.
There was much controversy on the subject of prayers for the dead in Cyril's time, and the objections which he notices were brought into prominence by Ærius, and rebuked by Epiphanius [242] . From the commemoration of the departed Cyril passes at once to the Lord's Prayer [243] , omitting the Preface which is found in the Litur…
2,427 wordsSECTION 12A statement which is important in this connexion is found in Mystag. ii. § 6: "Let no one then suppose that Baptism is the grace of remissio
A statement which is important in this connexion is found in Mystag. ii. § 6: "Let no one then suppose that Baptism is the grace of remission of sins only, or further of adoption, as the Baptism of John conferred only remission of sins; but as we know full well that it cleanses from sins and procures a gift of the Holy Spirit, s…
2,202 wordsSECTION 13Chapter VII.--Eucharistic Doctrine.
[250] Mystag. iii. § 1. [251] A. J. Mason, D.D., The Relation of Confirmation to Baptism, p. 389. Though I find myself compelled to differ widely from my friend Canon Mason in the interpretation of Cyril's teaching on this subject, I cannot refrain from expressing my sincere admiration of the tone and purpose of his treatise, a…
2,274 wordsSECTION 14In another remarkable passage [300] Cyril gives a further explanation of the effect of consecration: "In the New Testament there is heavenly
In another remarkable passage [300] Cyril gives a further explanation of the effect of consecration: "In the New Testament there is heavenly Bread and a Cup of salvation, sanctifying soul and body: for as the Bread corresponds to the body, so also the Word (ho logos) is appropriate to the soul." With this language of Cyril we ma…
1,957 wordsSECTION 15Chapter VIII.--Place of S. Cyril's Lectures.
Chapter VIII.--Place of S. Cyril's Lectures. We have seen in a passage already quoted [307] that at Milan S. Ambrose expounded the Creed to Catechumens in the Baptistery. But whatever may have been the custom in other places, it is certain from numerous passages in Cyril's Lectures that they were delivered in the great Basilica…
1,873 wordsSECTION 16Chapter IX.--The Time and Arrangement of S. Cyril's Lectures.
Chapter IX.--The Time and Arrangement of S. Cyril's Lectures. § 1. The Year. The incidental notes of time in the Catechetical Lectures are sufficient to determine with considerable probability the exact year in which they were delivered. In Cat. xiv. 14, Cyril speaks in the Plural of the Emperors then reigning (hoi nun basilei…
2,204 wordsSECTION 17Chapter X.--The Creed of Jerusalem: Doctrine of the Holy Trinity.
[324] See Gibbon, c. xviii. vol. ii. p. 370. [325] Dict. Chr. Biogr. "Athanasius," p. 190, note; Hefele, Councils, §§ 58, 66, 67. [326] Cat. vi. § 27. [327] Rell. Sac. v. p. 12. [328] Hist. Eccles. vii. c. 19. [329] Ep. 61 (al. 38). Cf. Ben. Ed. Praeloq. ad Cat. iv. pp. 49, 50. [330] Dict. Chr. Antiq. "Lectionary," p. 958 …
2,311 wordsSECTION 18It is apparently to this passage of Plato that Aristotle refers in describing the ambiguity of the word ousia [370] : "Now Ousia seems to be
It is apparently to this passage of Plato that Aristotle refers in describing the ambiguity of the word ousia [370] : "Now Ousia seems to belong most manifestly to bodies: wherefore animals and plants and their parts we say are ousiai, also natural bodies as fire and water and earth and all such things, and all either parts of t…
2,217 wordsSECTION 19Chapter XI.--S. Cyril's Writings.
[370] Metaph. vi. § 2. [371] Athanasius, Proleg. p. xxxi., in this Series. [372] Tryph. c. 128*. [373] Arians, p. 186. [374] Fragm. § 50, Sylb. 341. [375] Adv. Beron. et Hel. Fragm. i. [376] Wisdom of Solomon vii. 25, quoted by Origen, Fragm. in Epist. ad Hebræos, Lommatzsch, V. p. 300. [377] Contra Celsum, viii. p. 386. …
2,252 wordsSECTION 20Of the Greek text the Editor says, "I have collated it as carefully as I could with Grodecq's translation, Morel's and Prevot's Editions, an
Of the Greek text the Editor says, "I have collated it as carefully as I could with Grodecq's translation, Morel's and Prevot's Editions, and with MSS. to be found in this City. The various readings of the Roman MSS. I have obtained by the help of friends: those which Milles had collected from the English Codices I have adopted …
1,163 wordsSECTION 21PROCATECHESIS,
PROCATECHESIS, OR, PROLOGUE TO THE CATECHETICAL LECTURES OF OUR HOLY FATHER, CYRIL, ARCHBISHOP OF JERUSALEM. ------------------------ 1. Already there is an odour of blessedness upon you, O ye who are soon to be enlightened [394] : already ye are gathering the spiritual [395] flowers, to weave heavenly crowns: already the f…
2,356 wordsSECTION 2213. Ye who have been enrolled are become sons and daughters of one Mother. When ye have come in before the hour of the exorcisms, let each o
13. Ye who have been enrolled are become sons and daughters of one Mother. When ye have come in before the hour of the exorcisms, let each one of you speak things tending to godliness: and if any of your number be not present, seek for him. If thou wert called to a banquet, wouldest thou not wait for thy fellow guest? If thou ha…
2,208 wordsSECTION 23FIRST CATECHETICAL LECTURE
[438] The title "King" (Basileus) is used in the Greek Liturgies and Fathers of the Roman Emperor, as in the Clementine Liturgy: huper tou basileos, kai ton en huperoche, where it is taken from 1 Tim. ii. 2. Compare Cat. xiv. 14, and 22: Konstantinou tou basileos. [439] Ps. xlvi. 10. Sept. scholasate, "give attention freely." …
2,202 wordsSECTION 24[470] Luke xvi. 9.
[470] Luke xvi. 9. [471] Compare xv. 25. [472] John iii. 8. [473] Matt. xxv. 21. [474] Ps. vii. 10. [475] Matt. vii. 6. [476] Gr. noeton, i.e. the true Paradise, to be seen by the mind, not by the eye. Apoc. xii. 7, 17. [477] See preceding note. [478] Rom. xi. 24. [479] John xv. 1, 4, 5. [480] Matt. xxi. 19. [481] Ps.…
2,300 wordsSECTION 2511. But if concerning us men thou wilt have other examples also set before thee [518] , come on to the blessed David, and take him for an ex
11. But if concerning us men thou wilt have other examples also set before thee [518] , come on to the blessed David, and take him for an example of repentance. Great as he was, he fell: after his sleep, walking in the eventide on the housetop, he cast a careless look, and felt a human passion. His sin was completed, but there d…
2,200 wordsSECTION 26[506] Luke x. 18.
[506] Luke x. 18. [507] Literally, "its old age" (to geras). Compare iii. 7, and Dict. Chr. Biogr., Macarius, p. 770 a. [508] Ps. xxxi. 20. [509] Ps. xxxii. 5. [510] This is the reading of the Septuagint instead of--"He placed at the east of the garden of Eden." [511] Gen. iv. 12: "A fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be up…
2,376 wordsSECTION 275. But if any one wishes to know why the grace is given by water and not by a different element, let him take up the Divine Scriptures and h
5. But if any one wishes to know why the grace is given by water and not by a different element, let him take up the Divine Scriptures and he shall learn. For water is a grand thing, and the noblest of the four visible elements of the world. Heaven is the dwelling-place of Angels, but the heavens are from the waters [587] : the …
2,397 wordsSECTION 2816. Be of good courage, O Jerusalem; the Lord will take away all thine iniquities [632] . The Lord will wash away the filth of His sons and
16. Be of good courage, O Jerusalem; the Lord will take away all thine iniquities [632] . The Lord will wash away the filth of His sons and of His daughters by the Spirit of judgment, and by the Spirit of burning [633] . He will sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be cleansed from all your sin [634] . Angels shall dance …
2,237 wordsSECTION 296. Seeing then that many have gone astray in divers ways from the One God, some having deified the sun, that when the sun sets they may abid
6. Seeing then that many have gone astray in divers ways from the One God, some having deified the sun, that when the sun sets they may abide in the night season without God; others the moon, to have no God by day [661] ; others the other parts of the world [662] ; others the arts [663] ; others their various kinds of food [664]…
2,362 wordsSECTION 3020. The soul is immortal, and all souls are alike both of men and women; for only the members of the body are distinguished [716] . There is
20. The soul is immortal, and all souls are alike both of men and women; for only the members of the body are distinguished [716] . There is not a class of souls sinning by nature, and a class of souls practising righteousness by nature [717] : but both act from choice, the substance of their souls being of one kind only, and al…
2,445 wordsSECTION 3135. Of these read the two and twenty books, but have nothing to do with the apocryphal writings. Study earnestly these only which we read op
35. Of these read the two and twenty books, but have nothing to do with the apocryphal writings. Study earnestly these only which we read openly in the Church. Far wiser and more pious than thyself were the Apostles, and the bishops of old time, the presidents of the Church who handed down these books. Being therefore a child of…
2,281 wordsSECTION 32[691] Ps. cx. 1.
[691] Ps. cx. 1. [692] Matt. xxiv. 5. [693] Matt. xxiv. 15. Compare Cat. xv. 9, 15. [694] Compare xv. 27, where the followers of Marcellus of Ancyra are indicated as holding this opinion. [695] In xvi. 6-10, Cyril gives a long list of heresies concerning the Holy Ghost. [696] 1 Cor. ii. 10. [697] Matt. xii. 32. [698] This…
1,291 wordsSECTION 33[735] XVIII. 9.
[735] XVIII. 9. [736] Compare xviii. 6, 9; Athenagoras, On the Resurrection of the Dead, c. 3. [737] XVIII. 6. John xii. 24; 1 Cor. xv. 36. [738] XVIII. 7. [739] Is. xxvi. 19. [740] Dan. xii. 2. [741] Gr. loutrou metanoian. Other readings are lutron metanoias, "redemption by repentance," and loutron metanoias "a laver (bap…
2,288 wordsSECTION 347. This faith if we keep we shall be free from condemnation, and shall be adorned with all kinds of virtues. For so great is the strength of
7. This faith if we keep we shall be free from condemnation, and shall be adorned with all kinds of virtues. For so great is the strength of faith, as even to buoy men up in walking on the sea. Peter was a man like ourselves, made up of flesh and blood, and living upon like food. But when Jesus said, Come [786] , he believed, an…
2,202 wordsSECTION 35[789] Mark ii. 4.
[789] Mark ii. 4. [790] Matt. ix. 2, 6. [791] John xi. 14-44. [792] neura. "Sinews" is the original meaning, the application to "nerves," as distinct organs of sensation, being later. [793] For anastenai, retained by the Benedictine Editor and Reischl, read anastesai, with Roe, Casaubon, and Alexandrides. [794] Mark ix. 24.…
2,251 wordsSECTION 368. There have been many imaginations by many persons, and all have failed. Some have thought that God is fire; others that He is, as it were
8. There have been many imaginations by many persons, and all have failed. Some have thought that God is fire; others that He is, as it were, a man with wings, because of a true text ill understood, Thou shalt hide me under the shadow of Thy wings [845] . They forgot that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Only-begotten, speaks in like …
2,407 wordsSECTION 3718. And even this is still little compared with the impieties which follow. For the last of the deities being, as he dares to speak, both ma
18. And even this is still little compared with the impieties which follow. For the last of the deities being, as he dares to speak, both male and female, this, he says, is Wisdom [894] . What impiety! For the Wisdom of God [895] is Christ His Only-begotten Son: and he by his doctrine degraded the Wisdom of God into a female ele…
2,325 wordsSECTION 3830. By such and many other arguments the serpent was overthrown: thus did Archelaus wrestle with Manes and threw him. Again, he who had fled
30. By such and many other arguments the serpent was overthrown: thus did Archelaus wrestle with Manes and threw him. Again, he who had fled from prison flees from this place also: and having run away from his antagonist, he comes to a very poor village, like the serpent in Paradise when he left Adam and came to Eve. But the goo…
2,202 wordsSECTION 39[843] John v. 37.
[843] John v. 37. [844] Deut. iv. 15. [845] Ps. xvii. 8. [846] Matt. xxiii. 37. [847] Zech. iv. 10. [848] Matt. v. 48. [849] Philo Judæus (Leg. Alleg. I. 14. p. 52). Theou gar oude ho sumpas kosmos axion an eie chorion kai endiaitema, epei autos heauto tepos. So Sir Isaac Newton, at the end of the Principia, asserts that G…
2,205 wordsSECTION 40[902] Marcus Aurelius Probus, Emperor a.d. 276-282, from being an obscure Illyrian soldier came to be universally esteemed the best and nobl
[902] Marcus Aurelius Probus, Emperor a.d. 276-282, from being an obscure Illyrian soldier came to be universally esteemed the best and noblest of the Roman Emperors. [903] Routh (R.S. V. p. 12) comes to the conclusion that the famous disputation between Manes and Archelaus took place between July and December, a.d. 277. Accord…
2,296 wordsPage 1 of 6Next →
Source & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.