St. John Chrysostom – Locus Communis

Guard Your Speech

God has surrounded the tongue with a double wall – with the barrier of the teeth and the fence of the lips – in order that it may not easily and heedlessly utter words it should not speak. Keep it curbed within your mouth. ~ St. John Chrysostom, Baptismal Instructions IX 33-35

The World as a Theater

Both men departed to that place where everything is true. The stage sets were removed and the masks were taken off. In a theater of this world at mid-day the stage is set and many actors enter, playing parts, wearing masks on their faces, retelling some old story, narrating the events. One becomes a philosopher,Continue reading “The World as a Theater”

Morning and Evening Prayer for the Week of Transfiguration

Sunday Evening Jan. 24th Saint Timothy Lord of the Church, we give You thanks for your servant Timothy, whose letters from Paul have instructed and guided the church these many years. Give us such faithful service in our own days too. Amen. Our Father… Monday Morning Jan. 25th, Conversion of St. Paul SearcherContinue reading “Morning and Evening Prayer for the Week of Transfiguration”

St. John Chrysostom on the Ascension

And now, we who before were deemed unfit to dwell upon the earth are raised up to heaven; we who were unworthy of earthly dignity now ascend to a heavenly kingdom, and enter into heaven, and take our place upon a royal throne; and this nature of ours, because of which the Cherubim guarded theContinue reading “St. John Chrysostom on the Ascension”

St. John Chrysostom on Babel

God gave a common language to everyone. This was part of His loving-kindness toward the human race. They did not use the gift rightly, however, and lapsed into utter foolishness. Therefore He took away what He had given. For when they had one common speech they were foolish enough to want to build a towerContinue reading “St. John Chrysostom on Babel”