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The Words of the Fathers

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2025 2 articles
The Words of the Fathers No. II (XX) / 2025 Commentary on the Epistle to the Galatians by John Chrysostom, Archbishop of Constantinople, the Saint The Saint Ioan Gură de Aur

The First Homily on the Epistle to the Galatians, attributed to Saint John Chrysostom, analyses the context and theological content of the epistle’s opening verses, explaining why Paul affirmed that his apostleship came neither from men nor through the mediation of men, in response to the accusations of the Judaizers who were undermining his authority in the eyes of the Galatians, whilst also refuting heretical interpretations concerning the relationship between the Father and the Son and the nature of the present age.

 The Words of the Fathers No. I (XIX) / 2025 [Homily by John Chrysostom] on Psalm XXXVI, 1: ‘Do not envy those who act deceitfully’ The Saint Ioan Gură de Aur
This homily is a homiletic exposition of Psalm 36:1, in which the author, drawing on biblical examples from Joseph, Moses, Daniel, Elijah, Elisha, Lazarus and Herod, argues that the prosperity of the wicked is fleeting, whilst the suffering of the righteous is rewarded with eternal bliss. The listener is urged not to envy the prosperity of sinners, but to follow the path of virtue with a view to the Kingdom of Heaven.
2024 2 articles
The Words of the Fathers No. II (XVIII) / 2024 The Parable of the Tax Collector and the Pharisee The Saint Ioan Gură de Aur

St John Chrysostom’s Homily on the Publican and the Pharisee, translated from the original Greek in PG 59, analyses the parable in Luke 18 by contrasting the Pharisee’s pride with the tax collector’s repentance, showing that sincere humility before God brings righteousness, whilst pride squanders hard-won virtues.

 The Words of the Fathers No. I (XVII) / 2024 [A saying] by the same [John Chrysostom] on those who practise self-restraint through fasting and on the way of life of the most chosen prophets The Saint Ioan Gură de Aur
The Romanian translation of the homily De iis qui in jejunio continenter vivunt, attributed to Saint John Chrysostom (PG 64, col. 15–16), carried out by Dr Andrei Ion-Popescu, presents self-restraint and fasting as virtues exemplified by biblical figures such as Joseph, Moses, Elijah, Elisha, Daniel and the three young men, culminating in a Christological doxology on virginity and the presence of Christ in the Church.
2023 2 articles
The Words of the Fathers No. II (XVI) / 2023 A discourse by the same [John Chrysostom] on fasting and almsgiving The Saint Ioan Gură de Aur
St John Chrysostom’s Homily on Fasting and Almsgiving develops the argument that fasting without almsgiving and without inner transformation is in vain, illustrating this teaching through the parable of the ten virgins: the five foolish virgins lost their virginity precisely because they lacked the oil of charity, which alone gives wings to prayer and opens the door to the wedding chamber.
 The Words of the Fathers No. I (XV) / 2023 A homily by [Saint John Chrysostom] on the week halfway through the [days] of fasting [during Lent] The Saint Ioan Gură de Aur

This text presents the Romanian translation of Saint John Chrysostom’s homily In mediam hebdomadam jejuniorum (PG 59, col. 701–704), delivered in the middle of Lent, in which the author urges the faithful to persevere in fasting, citing biblical examples such as Adam, Elijah, Moses and Eve, and emphasising the connection between fasting, charity and salvation.
2017 1 article
The Words of the Fathers No. II (IV) / 2017 The Eighth Homily, delivered to the people in the Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary on the day of the Nativity of the Lord Grigorie cel Mare

The Homily on the Nativity of the Lord, attributed to Saint Gregory the Great, presents a theological interpretation of the pericope from the Gospel according to Luke 2:1–14, in a translation from the Latin by Mihai Grigoraș. The text symbolically interprets Augustus’s census as a foreshadowing of the registration of the elect into eternity, the birth in Bethlehem as the revelation of Christ as the Living Bread, and the manger as the place of spiritual nourishment for the faithful. The homily also emphasises that the Incarnation restored peace between humankind and the angels, calling upon the faithful to lead a pure life, worthy of their dignity as fellow citizens with God.