THE WORKS OF OUR HOLY FATHER JOHN CHRYSOSTOM, ARCHBISHOP OF CONSTANTINOPLE

Volume II

Book 1

I. Discourses to the Antiochian People on Statues.

FIRST CONVERSATION. The wonderful beauty and diversity of the Holy Scriptures. "Even the slightest utterances in it are precious. - Explanation of the text: "Drink a little wine, for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments" (1 Tim. 5:23). - The virtues of Timothy. - The more saints attain merit, the more they suffer. - Permission to drink a little wine. - In the calamities of the saints, the power of God is more revealed. - Why does God allow the saints to suffer and be subjected to various calamities? Why did God give Job's body over to the devil? - Our relationships are limited by the boundaries of real life. - Exhortation to blasphemers about correction.

SECOND CONVERSATION. The preacher's sorrow over the insane rebellion that took place in Antioch, during which the royal statues were overthrown. - The plight of the city's residents. - A Christian must endure everything with hope for the future. - Against blasphemers. - What is true wealth? - Praise and reward for hospitality. - Fruits of almsgiving. - Fragility of wealth. - Poverty for those who prudently endure it is great wealth. - On the Truth of the Holy Eucharist.

THIRD CONVERSATION. For the dispatch of Bishop Flavian to petition the emperor for the pardon of the unfortunate city. - What does true fasting consist of? - God wants people to resort to Him themselves. - The uselessness of fasting if we do not abstain from vices. - Description of the present disaster. - Frequent earthquakes in Antioch. - Moral exhortation.

CONVERSATION FOUR. An exhortation to the people about patience. - The example of the righteous Job and the three youths. - On abstaining from oaths. - The fruits of sorrows. - Disaster as a cause of change for the better. - The Persians' worship of fire as God. - Moral exhortation.

CONVERSATION FIVE. Job's patience is the basis of his glory. - The disasters of the present life are nothing. "The only true calamity is sin. - One should not be afraid of death, but of the insult of the Savior by one's sins. - A clear conscience is not afraid of death. - Repentance appeases the wrath of God. - Repentance of the Ninevites. "You must refrain from taking an oath.

SIXTH DISCOURSE. The authorities discourage from crime by the fear they inspire. - The Church comforts those who were frightened by the authorities. - Various motives for the consolation of the inhabitants of Antioch: past and present afflictions are sufficient for divine mercy. God had already shown the signs of his protection: the obstacles that delayed the arrival of the king's commissioners. - The Emperor's mercy on the occasion of the Easter holiday. - Should not be afraid of death; must be afraid of sin. - Lazarus and the heartless rich man. Three youths in the fiery furnace. - An admonition not to swear.

SEVENTH DISCOURSE. You need to grieve only for sin. - To the words: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. "Adam, where are you?" "There's a lot of consolation in them. "We must give up the habit of swearing.

CONVERSATION EIGHT. St. Scripture is an inexhaustible source of consolation. - The benefits it gives to people. - To the words: God walked in the evening in paradise. - Fear of Adam; the fear of the sinner in general. - Exhortation to virtue. "One must refrain from taking an oath.

DISCOURSE NINE. The preacher's love for the inhabitants of Antioch. - Congratulations to them on their success in goodness. - Regret that many neglect sacred words. - Why did the Holy Scriptures appear so late? - The beauty of creation. -Star. - Night and day. - The order of times, the earth and the elements, the sun - all this will be revealed by the omnipotence and wisdom of the Creator. "One must refrain from taking an oath.