Selected Sermons of Saint Peter Chrysologus, vol. 2
Overview
In 1953, the Fathers of the Church series published selected sermons of St. Peter Chrysologus (ca. 406-450), Archbishop of Ravenna and Doctor of the Church, thereby making thirty percent of his authentic sermons available to an English-speaking audience. With the publication of this volume all of Chrysologus’s authentic sermons up to number 72 are now available in English. The sermons offer readers a glimpse into the daily life, religious debates, political milieu, and Christian belief and practice in the second quarter of fifth-century Ravenna.
Chrysologus preached and served as bishop at a time when the seat of the western Roman Empire was located in Ravenna. His career as bishop bridged the closing years of Augustine’s episcopate in North Africa and the early years of Pope Leo the Great’s pontificate in Rome. His sermons attest to his relations with the ruler of the state, the Empress Galla Placidia, as well as his familiarity with some of the significant theological controversies of the day. His chief importance, however, was not as an outstanding theologian, but as a shepherd who ruled his flock and preached well to its members. Loyally orthodox, he urged them to practice Christian virtues. He was concerned with their moral rectitude and spiritual growth, their understanding of the basic tenets of the Christian faith, their reverence and love for God, and their immersion in the Scriptures.
Chrysologus’s sermons are relatively brief in length, at least according to patristic standards, and he combines colloquial speech with a highly rhetorical flourish. The imagery that he employs indicates how attuned he was to the experiences of his congregation, how enamored he was of the beauty of the countryside or seashore, and how thoroughly imbued he was with the letter and the spirit of the Scriptures.
For The Fathers of the Church series in its entirety, see Fathers of the Church Series (127 vols.).
Key Features
- Reveals the unique homiletical style of Chrysologus
- Recent translation provides background information on the fifth century Ravenna
- One of 127 published volumes in a well-respected series on the Church Fathers
Top Highlights
“Two men possessed by demons met him, so very savage that no one was able to pass along that road. You see that the demons had blocked the road for those who were coming to Christ; they had denied them access. For this is the concern of the demons, that human beings be unable to find the way back to God; for in no other way can they possess human beings, except by removing them from fellowship with their Creator. Such that no one was able to pass along that road. This is why Christ became the Way. Such that no one was able to pass along that road—that one, not this one. ‘I am the Way,’4 he says, so that the power of demons may not prevail in impeding those coming to the way through the Way, to God through God. It is not possible to attain to God except through God.” (Pages 76–77)
“Demons ardently seek to destroy, not to retain, all that is, that is done, that is accomplished, and that lives. Therefore, let no one suppose that a human being becomes like them; their enmity against the human race is age-old, their anger is constant, and their malice is resolute. The demons do not give in unless they are conquered, but they are not able to harm unless bidden. Therefore, the vile herd is handed over in order to make clear that to demons nothing is permitted against human beings, since it was decreed that they be permitted to enter swine. Therefore, either by our vices we bring it about that the demons receive power to harm us, or by our virtues we join with Christ in triumph, make the demons subject to us, and tread on their necks.” (Page 78)
Praise for the Print Edition
This book is in keeping with the masterful writing style that has come to be the hallmark for this collection....This is truly a delightful book to read.
—Jonathan I. von Kodar, Laval Theologique et Philosophique
Thanks to these texts we are well informed about the liturgical year in Ravenna and we can admire Chrysologus’ ease in employing the precepts of classical rhetoric to convey his message to his audience. . . . The importance of these translations is that they will make the sermons available for the English speaking scholarly world. . . . Palardy’s work is timely and will no doubt guarantee the bishop of Ravenna a much wider hearing.
—Johan Leemans, Ephemerides Theologicae Lovanienses
- Title: Selected Sermons of Saint Peter Chrysologus, Volume 2
- Author: Peter Chrysologus
- Series: The Fathers of the Church
- Volume: 2
- Publisher: Catholic University of America
- Print Publication Date: 2004
- Logos Release Date: 2014
- Pages: 326
- Era: era:nicene
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Sermons, Early Christian; Sermons, Latin › Translations into English
- ISBNs: 0813201098, 9780813201092
- Resource ID: LLS:SLCTDSRMNSVLM2
- Resource Type: text.monograph.sermons
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-25T20:53:06Z