E00071: John Chrysostom composes his Greek homily On *Philogonios (bishop of Antioch, ob. 324, S01197), which he delivers during the saint’s festival on 20 December. He refers to aspects of the saint’s life. Written and preached in Antioch on the Orontes (Syria) in 386/397.

John Chrysostom, On Philogonios (CPG 4319, BHG 1532)

§ 1. The author intended to finish an earlier sermon concerning the heretics, but the festival of Philogonios compels him to change his subject. The praise of the saints is particularly beneficial. The saint is blessed, for he has left this life and city for the heavenly ones, joining the eternal celebration.

§ 2. No words can do justice to the worth of Philogonios, but the saint will, nonetheless, accept this modest offering of praise, and will generously repay the people with his blessing. Chrysostom begins his praise from the saint’s office. He was a bishop chosen by God, which is proven by the fact that he was installed onto his throne, having been seized from his business in the marketplace. He was previously a judge, had a wife and daughter, but his way of living was so excellent that he was chosen to be bishop. The bishop is required only to love Christ and His sheep, and to care for the salvation of the people.

§ 3. These things need to be kept in mind especially by the monks living in the mountains. They should always stay by the side of their bishop and support him by their prayers. The proof of Philogonios’ greatness as a bishop is the progress of his church, visible in the present congregation. He became bishop in a difficult time, right after the persecution, when the heresy of Arianism first appeared. Chrysostom states that he wishes to let bishop Flavianos continue the story, because he knows it better:

Διὰ τοῦτο τῷ κοινῷ πατρὶ καὶ ζηλωτῇ τοῦ μακαρίου Φιλογονίου ταῦτα καταλιπόντες εἰπεῖν, ἅτε ἀκριβέστερον ἡμῶν εἰδότι τὰ ἀρχαῖα πάντα, πρὸς ἑτέραν δημηγορίας ὁδὸν βαδιούμεθα.

‘For this reason, we shall leave these matters to be recounted by our common father, who is also a zealous admirer of the blessed Philogonios, since, after all, he knows all the old stories in greater detail than we do, and we shall pursue another path in our discourse.’

Chrysostom continues his sermon by talking about the imminent feast of Christmas. It is the greatest of festivals, since all other festivals derive from the incarnation of Christ, yet many Christians neglect to go to church on the day. As the Magi venerated the newly-born Christ, Christians can see Him in the Eucharist.

§ 4. It is not an excuse for abstaining from Holy Communion to say that one has too many sins. The five days remaining to Christmas are enough for prayer and penance. Similarly, no one should participate in the Eucharist, just because it is a feast day, unless they have prepared their souls and partake of it worthily.

Text: Migne, PG 48, 747-756. Summary and translation: Efthymios Rizos.