Fourth- and Fifth-Century Homilists on the Ascension of Christ

Abstract

This chapter talks about sermons which can indeed be regarded as representative of the wider church, both orthodox and heretical. John Chrysostom was a presbyter at Antioch and bishop of Constantinople and lived during the golden age of early Christian literature. Only one of the numerous homilies on the ascension of Christ which have been preserved under his name can be regarded as genuine. Forty days after his resurrection from the dead, Christ ascended to heaven. Both Augustine and Ps.-Athanasius argue that this period of time was necessary to prove that Christ's resurrection was a reality. Elijah's ascent caused distress to Elisha, but when Christ ascended, two angels consoled the disciples with a promise that Christ would come again to fetch them. The homilies of the fourth and fifth centuries were often used by early theologians as a vehicle for their theological views. Keywords: ascension of christ; Athanasius; Constantinople; Elijah; Elisha; homilies; John Chrysostom; sermons