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

Volume IV

Book 1

DISCOURSES ON THE BOOK OF GENESIS

PREFACE. Place and time of their pronunciation; the biblical Greek text in these DISCOURSES and its importance; the need to compare it with the text of other Greek copies of the Bible and some manuals for this.

CONVERSATION 1. The joy of Chrysostom at the sight of the multitude of people gathered in the temple of God before the onset of the Holy Forty Days. The purpose of church meetings and the need to prepare for fasting. The great harm of intemperance from the days of the first man and the beneficial effects of fasting, experienced by the Old Testament righteous, and the example of the Savior. The effect of fasting on the human soul and the denunciation of luxury in Fr. Amos. The transience of worldly pleasures and the immutability of spiritual pleasures.

CONVERSATION 2. The joy of Chrysostom at the onset of Lent, which is the best time for church teachings from the Divine Scriptures. The opening words of the first book of Moses must be taken as the words of the Lord Himself, not by testing what is above us, but by humbly believing. Moses does not speak of the creation of invisible powers, and the reason for this. Great power of words: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth against false teachers and solved the perplexity about the creation of the universe from something that does not exist. Why is the primordial earth called invisible and unformed? A Christian must not only know and preserve the true teaching of the faith, but also arrange his life in accordance with them.

CONVERSATION 3. Great is the richness and depth of the Divine Scriptures. Explanation of the words: And darkness was on the top of the deep, and the Spirit of God was on the top of the waters. The creation of light and the madness of those who say that matter existed before heaven and earth. Why didn't God create everything in one day? Against those who say that everything happened by itself. A Christian must take care not only of his own fear, but also of his neighbors, and constantly struggle with the full armor of faith against the wiles of the devil and his passions, maintaining constant vigilance and giving alms.

CONVERSATION 4. The joy of the holy preacher at the sight of the zeal of his listeners and the stirring up of the yoke to constant spiritual vigilance. Explanation of the words: Let there be a firmament in the midst... and he called God the firmament of heaven. The sky is one, not many heavens. The words of the Holy Scriptures. The Scriptures must be understood in a God-like manner, and, ascending from the consideration of creatures to the Creator, we must not forget human limitations. Moral instructions about the daily examination of oneself, about love for those who love and hate, and about the curbing of passions.

CONVERSATION 5. Christians must, like gold diggers, daily investigate the Holy Scriptures. Scripture and carefully preserve the treasure of virtue obtained, for which there will be a reward in the future life. Explanation of the works of creation on the third day. Rebuke of the Jews, who considered the evening to be the beginning of the day. Great is the harm of addiction to human glory.

DISCOURSE 6. A strong accusation of those present in the equestrian lists; the sinfulness of this and the threat to the irreparable. - The creation of heavenly bodies and the greatness of their Creator. The madness of those who deified the sun. What does it mean, "Lay me in the firmament of heaven, for signs, and for times, and for days, and for years?" All creatures are created for man, who, using them or marveling at their beauty, must worship the Creator with his praise and good life.

CONVERSATION 7. Continuation of the exhortation to those who went to the spectacle; the heavy responsibility of those Christians who, by their behavior, give cause for temptation to unbelievers. An explanation of the work of creation on the fifth day and a rebuke of those who do not think righteously about the origin of the universe and the purpose of creating certain creatures. The dumb creatures created on the sixth day, and their divine approval. An exhortation to stir oneself up to the praise of the Lord and to bring to the truth others who are stagnant in error.

DISCOURSE 8. Stirring up the attention of listeners and explaining the biblical account of the creation of man: divine counsel before his creation and the origin of man after all other creatures. To whom is it said: Let us make man? What is meant by the image of God? Exhortation of listeners to teach others the truths taught not only by word, but by an even more virtuous life. What does a God-pleasing fast consist of?