Library › St John Chrysostom › Homilies on Various Occasions

Homilies on Various Occasions

St John Chrysostom, NPNF I.9 and others

12. That Severian Must Be Received

Just as the body must be united to the head, so too the church [must be united to] the priest and the people to the ruler. And just as bushes [must be united to] roots, and rivers to springs, so too sons [must be united to] the father and students to their teacher.¹ We did not, however, previously utter these things unnecessarily out of love for you,² but because I must say some things in your presence in order that no one be disturbed or an interruption arise for my sermon, but so that the obedience of students may increase in you and that it may become apparent how much affection you have for your father. Adorn me, my sons, and set upon me the crown of your obedience, cause me to be judged blessed in the presence of all, and extol my teaching through obedience in accordance with the apostle’s admonitions when he says, “Obey those who are set over you and submit to them. For they keep watch on your behalf, as they were about to render an account for your souls.”³ And so I make these prefatory remarks, lest anyone disdain my admonition. For I am a father and it is necessary that I advise counsel to my sons. For the role that the nature of flesh performs in carnal fathers, the grace of the spirit performs in us. I am a father, and a father who trembles excessively for my sons, to such an extent that I am ready to pour out my blood for you. And in this I have no thanks. For there is an apostolic law and command of the Lord who says, “A good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.”⁴ But do the same thing yourselves for us; for you, too, were bound by a similar affection for us. For hear also what Paul says: “Greet,” he said, “Priscilla and Aquila, my helpers in Christ, who laid down their own necks for my life.”⁵ For just as it is a fine thing for a shepherd to be sacrificed for his sheep, so in turn it is a fine thing for sheep not to be separated from their shepherd even by death. For when they should be inseparable from him, they will not fear the devil, the wolf. For a wall of love is stronger than adamant. “And when a brother is helped by his brother, it will be just as a fortified and strong city.”⁶ I send these things out in advance in order that you may hear what we say with every affection and so that no one of you should begin to be disturbed. We are talking about a matter which it is worthy to speak of in a church, and which it is worthy to hear gladly. We are speaking to you about peace. And what is more appropriate than a priest of God persuading the people to peace? There is no objection when both the holy embassy and ambassador are received⁷. We are speaking about peace, on behalf of which the son of God descended to earth in order that through his blood he might bring peace not only to what is on the earth, but also what is in the heavens, and so that earthly things might unite with heavenly things. We are speaking on behalf of peace, for which the son of God suffered, and because of which he was crucified and buried; which he left to us as the entire wealth of our inheritance, and gave to the church as a wall; which he placed as a shield against the devil, which he gave as a sword against demons, which he established as a most tranquil harbor for the faithful; which he gave as a propitiation⁸ to God, which he granted as an absolution for transgressions. It was for this, then, that I was sent to you as an ambassador. Don’t make me blush, don’t disgrace my embassy, acquiesce in what I ask,⁹ I beseech you. Not long ago many sorrowful things were conducted in the church, I confess to God, but I don’t praise disturbances, I don’t embrace dissensions. Let us now lay aside these things: desist, be at peace, restrain your passions, curb your anger. What the church suffered is already sufficient, let there be an end, let the disorder cease: for this is pleasing to God and acceptable to our most pious ruler. For it is proper to obey emperors, especially when they submit to ecclesiastical laws. The apostle says, “Be subject to your rulers and authorities.”¹⁰ How much more so to a most religious ruler and one who labors on behalf of the church! If, then, I have prepared your souls for receiving my embassy, receive our brother, bishop Severian. [Chrysostom presumably paused here, and the crowd cheered]

I am thankful because you have accompanied my sermon with cheering!¹¹ You have given me the fruit of obedience! Now I am rejoicing because I planted a good seed! For behold, now I’ll gather handfuls of grain. May God repay you a reward for your kindness and recompense for your obedience! For now you have offered to God the sacrifice of peace, because no one was disturbed when they heard this name, but you received it with love. As soon as we spoke in the sermon, you drove your anger from your mind. Receive him therefore with a full heart, with open hands. If anything sorrowful took place, lay it aside. For when it is a time of peace, there is no remembrance of dissension, and so there is joy in heaven, joy on earth, spiritual happiness and exultation in the church of God. And concerning the rest, let us pray that God may deem it worthy to keep the church at peace, that he give a fixed and perpetual peace, in Jesus Christ our Lord, with whom there is glory to God the father, together with the holy spirit, forever. Amen.

Previous · Contents