Jean Chrysostome: Homélies sur la Résurrection, l’Ascension et la Pentecôte.Tome I. Edited by Nathalie Rambault.Euthèrios de Tyane: Protestation, Lettres.Text by E. Schwartz and M. Tetz. Introduction, translation, and notes by Joseph Paramelle with Louis Neyrand.

Abstract

T hese two fine volumes illustrate both the variety of patristic literature and the scope of the distinguished series to which they belong. Dr Rambault presents here the first of two which are to contain the sermons of the Golden Mouth for the Easter liturgical cycle. In this volume we have On Easter (CPG 4408), Against drunkenness and on the Resurrection (CPG 4341), and as an appendix the spurious On Easter (CPG 4340) in its three varying manifestations. The succeeding volume (SC 562) is to contain the homilies On the Ascension and On Pentecost . The genuine On Easter (I repeat the editor’s information) is about double the normal length for the author and would have lasted 45 minutes as against his usual 25: a fact I have not tested out but will believe. Basically an eloquent exegesis of 2 Cor. 5:1–5 characteristic of the great preacher, it is, it is argued, a catechetical address in Lent, delivered at Antioch in an unknown year, the year 387 proposed by Montfaucon and equally learned later scholars, relying upon the supposed allusion to a previous and datable homily, being found a hypothesis too far. Manichaean opponents are, it is suggested, in the background and light is thrown on Easter in the church at Antioch. Surprisingly, I would think, scant justification of resurrection per se is given. The title Against drunkenness and on the Resurrection misleads: drunkenness is not a sin of which the congregation is accused; they are above that. Rather appeal is made to the true spiritual intoxification of faith. The spurious homily is convincingly affirmed as a composite of selected highlights from Chrysostom and others, made sometime between the late sixth and mid-eighth centuries, and drawing on florilegia. It is a clever compilation and has a grand ring to it. Some of the greatest scholars mistook it as genuine. How consoling are their errors for the rest of us! The editor has established the text, her translation is reliable, and her notes, if elementary for the most part, will perhaps be of some use, more elaborate being promised in the next volume.