Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, Second Series • VOLUME 13
Gregory the Great, Ephraim Syrus & Aphrahat
SECTION 81
Epistle IV.
Epistle IV. To Fantinus, Guardian (Defensorem) of Panormus. Gregory to Fantinus, &c Such things about our brother and fellow-bishop Exhilaratus, as thou thyself also knowest, have come to our ears as ought by all means to be visited with severe punishment. But, since it has been smoothed over by our most reverend brother and …
953 wordsSECTION 82Epistle VIII.
Epistle VIII. To Boniface, Deacon. Gregory to Boniface, Deacon at Constantinople [236] . As often as the discord of those who ought to have been preachers of peace makes us sad, we should study with great solicitude that cause of contention may be removed, and that those who differ among themselves may return to concord. Now …
938 wordsSECTION 83Epistle XII.
Epistle XII. To Theodelinda, Queen of the Lombards. Gregory to Queen Theodelinda. The letters which you sent us a little time ago from the Genoese parts have made us partakers of your joy on account of our learning that by the favour of Almighty God a son has been given you, and, as is greatly to your Excellency's credit, has…
858 wordsSECTION 84Epistle XIII.
Epistle XIII. To Alcyson, Bishop of Corcyra [242] . Gregory to Alcyson, &c. To brethren who bethink themselves and return to wholesome counsels kindness is not to be denied, lest a fault seem to weigh more in the minds of bishops than charity. We have therefore received, in the presence of thy Love's responsales, Peter, reade…
1,861 wordsSECTION 85Epistle XVII.
Epistle XVII. To Felix, Bishop of Messana. To our most reverend brother, the Bishop Felix, Gregory, servant of the servants of God [246] . Our Head, which is Christ, to this end has willed us to be His members, that through His large charity and faithfulness He might make us one body in Himself, to whom it befits us so to cli…
2,195 wordsSECTION 86HYMNS AND HOMILIES
HYMNS AND HOMILIES of Ephraim the Syrian, and from the DEMONSTRATIONS of Aphrahat the Persian Sage; Edited, with an Introductory Dissertation, by, John Gwynn, D.D., D.C.L., Regius Professor of Divinity in the University of Dublin Preface. ------------------------ In the following selection from the voluminous writing…
2,203 wordsSECTION 87[250] Of these, the one, which is ascribed to Amphilochius, is perhaps the basis on which the longer Syriac Life was constructed.
[250] Of these, the one, which is ascribed to Amphilochius, is perhaps the basis on which the longer Syriac Life was constructed. III.--The Life, as Amplified by Mediaeval Biographers. 1. His Early Years.--Ephraim, according to this biography, was a Syrian of Mesopotamia, by birth, and by parentage on both sides. His mother wa…
2,258 wordsSECTION 88In Edessa, Ephraim at first earned a humble livelihood in the service of a bath-keeper, while giving his free time to the task of making the
In Edessa, Ephraim at first earned a humble livelihood in the service of a bath-keeper, while giving his free time to the task of making the Scriptures known to the heathen who then formed a large part of the population of the city. But before long he was led, by the advice of a monk whom he casually met, to join himself to one …
2,332 wordsSECTION 89Traces of Ephraim's influence are to be found in two places of Basil's writings. It can scarcely be doubted that he points to Ephraim when (
Traces of Ephraim's influence are to be found in two places of Basil's writings. It can scarcely be doubted that he points to Ephraim when (De Spiritu Sancto, xxix. 74), in defending the familiar formula "Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost,"--and again (Homil. in Hexaêm. ii. 6), in explaining the action of …
2,201 wordsSECTION 90Our goods and our gold let us leave;
Our goods and our gold let us leave; So we part not from our faith! Edessa is full of chastity, Full of prudence and understanding. She is clad in discernment of soul; Faith is the girdle of her loins; Truth her armour all-prevailing; Love her crown, all-exalting. Christ bless them that dwell in her, Edessa, whose name …
2,204 wordsSECTION 91[The dying Saint recalls in the following lines the vision of his childhood, and praises God for its fulfilment.]
[The dying Saint recalls in the following lines the vision of his childhood, and praises God for its fulfilment.] "I swear by your lives I lie not: in this thing that I tell. For when I was a little child: and lay in my mother's bosom, I saw (I was as in a dream): a thing which has come to pass in truth. There grew a vine-sh…
2,328 wordsSECTION 92ii. The Demonstrably Incorrect or Contradictory Statements.--Farther, even when we have laid aside all that is seemingly exaggerated, invent
ii. The Demonstrably Incorrect or Contradictory Statements.--Farther, even when we have laid aside all that is seemingly exaggerated, invented or mythical in the Life, there remains much in it that, when critically examined, proves to need correction or to deserve rejection. We proceed to deal with some questions which arise aff…
2,547 wordsSECTION 935. Interval between Visit to Basil and Persecution by Valens.--The interval of four years or more, which the Life seems to place between Eph
5. Interval between Visit to Basil and Persecution by Valens.--The interval of four years or more, which the Life seems to place between Ephraim's return from Cæsarea to Edessa, and the persecution of the Edessenes by Valens, is likewise impossible. For at Cæsarea all agree that Ephraim found Basil Archbishop. But Basil was cons…
2,219 wordsSECTION 944. The consecration of Basil to the see of Cæsarea, late in 370, followed by Ephraim's visit to him there.
4. The consecration of Basil to the see of Cæsarea, late in 370, followed by Ephraim's visit to him there. 5. The deliverance of the Edessenes from the persecution of Valens (370-372), celebrated by Ephraim in a hymn. 6. Ephraim's death, 373. To this list it would be right to prefix the meeting of the Council of Nicæa in 325,…
2,265 wordsSECTION 95The imitation, however, is by no means complete; it is apparent in the general tone and manner, but does not extend to the form: just as the
The imitation, however, is by no means complete; it is apparent in the general tone and manner, but does not extend to the form: just as the Greek version of Ephraim's Hymns, though faithfully reproducing his thoughts and literary method, makes no attempt to retain his metrical system; but is a rendering into what in form is pro…
2,356 wordsSECTION 96[312] From the Nitrian ms., 14506.
[312] From the Nitrian ms., 14506. [313] Hymns 1-14 from mss., 14506, 14572; No. 15 from the Maronite Breviary. [314] From mss. 14570, 14651, 17266; and a fragment from 14654 (printed in Tom. II., pp. xx-xxiii.). [315] mss. 14572, 17141 chiefly; with a few others of secondary value. Five Hymns are lost (viii. and xxii.-xxv.),…
2,390 wordsSECTION 975. Ascribed to Jacob of Nisibis.--Thus it appears that the series of discourses now known as the Demonstrations of Aphrahat, were imitated,
5. Ascribed to Jacob of Nisibis.--Thus it appears that the series of discourses now known as the Demonstrations of Aphrahat, were imitated, and transcribed, and translated, into Armenian, and their titles cited by a Latin biographer, and their contents minutely investigated by an able critic, within the four centuries that follo…
2,401 wordsSECTION 98These facts not only confirm the tradition which places him at Nineveh, but they go far to account for the obscurity in which his name and h
These facts not only confirm the tradition which places him at Nineveh, but they go far to account for the obscurity in which his name and his writings lay so long. In an age of excited controversy, these quiet hortatory discourses, marked by no striking eloquence of style or subtlety of reasoning, dealing with no burning questi…
2,232 wordsSECTION 99[335] Ib. XVI. 7; XVII. 8.
[322] Forget, De Vita e Scriptis Aphraatis (1882), pp. 139-148; also (cited by him S. Isaaci Antiocheni Opp. (ed. Bickell, 1873). [323] The titles given by Gennadius do not number 26; some titles he omits; others he divides, treating as two what is really one, in several instances. [324] See the text in Wright's Aphraatis, pp.…
2,241 wordsSECTION 1009. Compare the souls which are in me, with the living things that were in the ark; and instead of Noah who mourned in it, lo! Thy altar mour
9. Compare the souls which are in me, with the living things that were in the ark; and instead of Noah who mourned in it, lo! Thy altar mourning and humbled. Instead of the wedded wives that were in it, lo! my virgins that are unmarried. Instead of Ham who went forth from it and uncovered his father's nakedness, lo! workers of r…
2,244 wordsSECTION 1018. We know that the Blessed wills not the afflictions, that have been in all ages; though He has wrought them, it is our offences that are t
8. We know that the Blessed wills not the afflictions, that have been in all ages; though He has wrought them, it is our offences that are the cause of our troubles. No man can complain against our Creator; it is for Him to complain against us, who have sinned and constrained Him, to be wrathful though He wills it not, and to sm…
2,206 wordsSECTION 1026. Lo! his daughter is his wife, and his sister his consort; and his mother whence he came forth, he turns again and takes her to wife! The
6. Lo! his daughter is his wife, and his sister his consort; and his mother whence he came forth, he turns again and takes her to wife! The heavens are astonished that thus, he provokes Thee, and lo! he prospers. 7. And though, O my Lord, my crimes are many, are my offences so heavy, that Thou shouldst make over a chaste woman,…
2,215 wordsSECTION 10311. And the fort that with thirst, had killed, its dwellers,--it drank in its turn of the flux from the corpses,--that were melted by thirst
11. And the fort that with thirst, had killed, its dwellers,--it drank in its turn of the flux from the corpses,--that were melted by thirst. 12. Who has seen a people--that were burning with thirst,--while there surrounded them a wall of water and they could not--moisten their tongue! 13. Surely with the judgment of Sodom, we…
2,207 wordsSECTION 10410. The two sons were even as were--the two mothers that bare them.--The calf which the fire brought forth,--the fire consumed in the midst
10. The two sons were even as were--the two mothers that bare them.--The calf which the fire brought forth,--the fire consumed in the midst of the people:--the Cross the offspring of grace,--divided good gifts to all creation. 11. O my tongue hold thy peace and be silent of the histories of the Cross that press to be told!--for…
2,253 wordsSECTION 1055. The Pastor who has been parted from his flock, fed them on spiritual pastures, and by his exalted staff, he defended them from secret wol
5. The Pastor who has been parted from his flock, fed them on spiritual pastures, and by his exalted staff, he defended them from secret wolves. Fill thou up the room of thy master, which thirsts for the sound of his melody; set up thyself as a pillar, in the city of the trembling people; support her with thy prayers. R., Blesse…
2,225 wordsSECTION 10613. Hearken to the Apostle when he saith, to that virgin whom he had espoused; I am jealous over you with jealousy, with a jealousy verily o
13. Hearken to the Apostle when he saith, to that virgin whom he had espoused; I am jealous over you with jealousy, with a jealousy verily of God, not of the flesh but of the spirit. Be jealous therewith thou also in pureness, that He may know what she is and whose she is. In thee may she cherish, and in thee may she love, Jesus…
2,229 wordsSECTION 10720. Let thy prayer go up to heaven, with it let reconciliation go up! May the Lord of Heaven rain down His blessings upon our [ ], and His c
20. Let thy prayer go up to heaven, with it let reconciliation go up! May the Lord of Heaven rain down His blessings upon our [ ], and His consolations upon our afflictions, and His gathering upon our dispersion: may He waken His jealousy with His love; may His righteousness avenge our disgrace, may His grace blot out our iniqui…
2,238 wordsSECTION 108Hymn XXXVI.
Hymn XXXVI. 1. Our Lord subdued His might and constrained it, that His living death might give life to Adam. His hands He gave to the piercing of the nails, instead of the hand that plucked the fruit: He was smitten on the cheek in the judgment hall, instead of the mouth that ate it in Eden. And because his foot bore Adam thenc…
2,237 wordsSECTION 1099. If a man reads in the Prophets, he hears there of righteous wars. But if a man meditate in the story of Jesus, he learns of grace and ten
9. If a man reads in the Prophets, he hears there of righteous wars. But if a man meditate in the story of Jesus, he learns of grace and tender mercy. And if a man think of Jesus, that He is a strange God it is a reproach against me. No other strange key into the gate of Sheol could ever be fitted. One is the key of the Creator,…
2,271 wordsSECTION 11015. The Levites slew because of the calf, their fathers and their brethren. Jephthah by his own hands was ready to slay his daughter. The Ki
15. The Levites slew because of the calf, their fathers and their brethren. Jephthah by his own hands was ready to slay his daughter. The King of Moab on the wall, was sacrificing his first-born son: In presence of his sword I rejoice.--By Jesus the sword was blunted; yea the fever was rebuked, the sister of Sheol: the mother-in…
2,223 wordsSECTION 11113. Death looked forth from within his den, and marvelled when he saw our Lord crucified, and he said "O raiser of the dead to life where ar
13. Death looked forth from within his den, and marvelled when he saw our Lord crucified, and he said "O raiser of the dead to life where art thou! Thou shalt be to me for meat, instead of the sweet Lazarus, whose savour lo! it is still in my mouth. Jairus' daughter shall come and see this Thy cross. The widow's son gazes on The…
2,361 wordsSECTION 112Hymn LIV.
Hymn LIV. 1. Hear, O Freedom, the dispute of two servants: how they are convicted by each other, that they are powerless.--2. R., To Thee be glory by Whose humiliation Adam was exalted: and by Whose death he was raised, and regained Eden!--3. If then the Evil One overcome thee, great is the shame: Death his comrade has convicte…
2,361 wordsSECTION 113Hymn LVIII.
Hymn LVIII. 1. Lo! Death was prompt beforehand, to mock Satan: him who was doomed to become a mockery at the last.--2. R., Glory to Thee Who by Thy crucifixion, didst conquer the Evil One: and by Thy resurrection gain victory, likewise over Death!--3. And for our Lord's sake Death spake curses on him: who was the cause of His s…
2,264 wordsSECTION 114Hymn LXII.
Hymn LXII. 1. Lo! Death, the King of silence, complains, my brethren: that we have filled his abode with the wailing, of Hope cut off.--2. R., To Him be great praise Who comest down, to us here below: and suffered and rose again and in His Body, raises our bodies!--3. While we weep like madmen, at the gates of Sheol: hearken wh…
2,520 wordsSECTION 115Hymn LXVII.
Hymn LXVII. 1. Come ye, let us hear how Death convicts the People: that harsher than Death was their sword, against the just.--2. R., To Thee be glory, Who by Thy sacrifice, hast redeemed our disgrace: and Whose death was instead of all deaths, that Thou mightst raise all!--3. It was not Death indeed that crucified Jesus, but i…
1,169 wordsSECTION 116XIV.-XIX. By
XIV.-XIX. By REV. A. Edward Johnston, B.D. Hymns on the Nativity. ------------------------ Hymn I. This is the day that gladdened them, the Prophets, Kings, and Priests, for in it were their words fulfilled, and thus were the whole of them indeed performed! For the Virgin this day brought forth Immanuel in Bethlehem. The vo…
2,247 wordsSECTION 117In this night of reconcilement let no man be wroth or gloomy! in this night that stills all, none that threatens or disturbs! This night bel
In this night of reconcilement let no man be wroth or gloomy! in this night that stills all, none that threatens or disturbs! This night belongs to the sweet One; bitter or harsh be in it none! In this night that is the meek One's, high or haughty be in it none! In this day of pardoning let us not exact trespasses! In this day o…
2,208 wordsSECTION 118[399] Luke viii. 33.
[399] Luke viii. 33. Hymn III. Blessed be that first day of thine, Lord, wherewith this day of Thy Feast is stamped! Thy day is like Thee, in that it shows mercy unto men, in that it is handed down and comes with all generations. This is the day that ends with the aged, and returns that it may begin with the young! a day that…
2,486 wordsSECTION 119Glory to that Voice Which became Body, and to the Word of the High One Which became Flesh! Hear Him also, O ears, and see Him, O eyes, and f
Glory to that Voice Which became Body, and to the Word of the High One Which became Flesh! Hear Him also, O ears, and see Him, O eyes, and feel Him, O hands, and eat Him, O mouth! Ye members and senses give praise unto Him, that came and quickened the whole body! Mary bare the silent Babe, while in Him were hidden all tongues! J…
2,234 wordsSECTION 120With rival words Mary burned, yea she lulled Him, [saying,] Who hath given me, the barren, that I should conceive and bring forth this One,
With rival words Mary burned, yea she lulled Him, [saying,] Who hath given me, the barren, that I should conceive and bring forth this One, that is manifold; a little One, that is great; for that He is wholly with me, and wholly everywhere? The day that Gabriel came in unto my low estate, he made me free instead of a handmaid, …
2,217 wordsSource & rights
Historical text source: Christian Classics Ethereal Library. The downloaded text itself records Public Domain.