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Church History:
THE ST. PACHOMIUS LIBRARY seeks to make the
literature of the early Christian Church available to all in electronic form -- for free!
We are archiving uncopyrighted English translations of the Church Fathers, the acts of the
Christian martyrs, the proceedings of the Councils, the lives of the early saints, etc.,
all of which may be freely reproduced by anyone. There are presently three sections of the
Library:
A
- St. Adamnan, Abbot of Iona, (VII/VIII
Centuries):
- St. Agatho, Pope of Rome, (VII Century):
- Letters: About
monothelitism and the Sixth Ecumenical Council. Schaff-Wace translation. --- CCEL
- St. Alexander, Patriarch of Alexandria, (IV
Century):
- St. Ambrose of Milan,
bishop, theologian, and hymnographer, (IV Century):
- Against Auxentius: Sermon
justifying Ambrose's refusal to turn over Orthodox church property to the state-supported
Arian Church. De Romestin translation, 1896. --- CCEL
- On the Death of his
Brother Satyrus, and on Belief in the Resurrection: De Romestin translation,
1896. --- CCEL
- On the Duties of the
Clergy: De Romestin translation, 1896. --- CCEL
- Exposition of the
Christian Faith: De Romestin translation, 1896. --- CCEL
- On the Holy Spirit:
De Romestin translation, 1896. --- CCEL
- On the Mysteries: ---
CCEL
- On Repentence: ---
CCEL
- On Virgins, to
Marcellina his Sister: --- CCEL
- On Widows: ---
CCEL
- Seventeenth Epistle: Opposing
the desire of Symmachus to reinstall a pagan altar in the Senate building. --- CCEL
- Eighteenth Epistle
(Reply to the Memorial of Symmachus): Refutes the argument of Symmachus that
abandoning paganism is a threat to Rome's security. De Romestin translation, 1896. ---
CCEL
- Twentieth Epistle (To
his Sister Marcellina): Narrates the story of his opposition to the
construction of an Arian basilica in Milan. --- CCEL
- Twenty-First Epistle: Argues
that only clerics have the right the right to judge in ecclesiastical cases. De Romestin
translation, 1896. --- CCEL
- Twenty-Second Epistle
(To Marcellina): Relates his discovery of the relics of Saints Gervase and
Protase. --- CCEL
- Fortieth Epistle (To
the Emperor Theodosius): Argues that a synagogue burnt by order of an Eastern
bishop should not be rebuilt at Church expense. --- CCEL
- Forty-First Epistle
(To his Sister Marcellina): Narrates how he handled the matter of the burnt
synagogue. --- CCEL
- Fifty-First Epistle
(To the Emperor Theodosius): Demands the Emperor repent for ordering a
massacre in Thessalonica. De Romestin translation, 1896. --- CCEL
- Fifty-Seventh Epistle
(To the Emperor Eugene): Criticizes Eugene's tolerance of paganism. ---
CCEL
- Sixty-First Epistle
(To the Emperor Theodosius): Congratulating him on his victory over Eugene,
and urging mercy for the vanquished. --- CCEL
- Sixty-Second Epistle
(To Theodosius): Urges clemency for followers of the defeated Eugene who
sought refuge in churches. --- CCEL
- Sixty-Third Epistle
(To the Church at Vercellæ): Describes the ideal ways of life for clergy,
monks, and ordinary parishoners; also argues against some ex-monks who, under the
influence of Epicurean philosophy (but without really understanding Epicurus), were saying
that fasting and continence are unnecessary. --- CCEL
- St. Amphilochius, Bishop of Iconium, poet,
(IV Century):
- The Canon of Scripture: A
paragraph excerpted from the Iambics to Seleucus. --- NA
- Canons: Schaff-Wace
translation. --- CCEL
- At
the Colosseum A short poem protesting the gladiatorial games. Barrett Browning
translation, 1842. --- SPL
- St. Anastasius I, Pope of Rome (IV Century):
- Anastasius the Librarian,
scholar, politician, and antipope, (IX Century):
- Anastasius the Monk:
- Anglo-Saxon Devotional Material and
Hymnography:
- Codex Junius 11 Contains
the pre-Conquest poems Genesis A & B, Exodus, Daniel, and Christ and Satan, sometimes
attributed to the VII Century poet-saint Cædmon. Geo. W. Kennedy translation, 1916. ---
OMACL
- St. Anterus, Pope of Rome, (III Century):
- Aphrahat the Sage, Persian Christian
theologian, (IV Century):
- Apocrypha and Pseudepigrapha:
- The
Non-Canonical Homepage Very large and well-organized collection at Northwest
Nazarene College.
- The Lost Books of the Bible:
The
much-reprinted XIX Century collection of New Testament apocrypha and Apostolic Fathers,
here enhanced with extensive marginal notes (a feature inexplica bly rare in hypertext). ---
Seraphim Files
- The Life of Adam and Eve,
Translated and edited by G. A. Anderson and M. E. Stone. One of the most ambitious
attempts to create a scholarly hypertext edition of an early Judæo-Christian work. ---
University of Virginia
- The Apostolic Canons, early Church
document, (I Century?):
- Aristakes of Lastivert, Armenian historian,
(XI Century): [NON-CHALCEDONIAN]
- Aristeas, Hellenistic courtier, (III Century
BCE):
- Letter to Philocrates: Traditional
account of the writing of the Septuagint (Greek translation of the Old Testament).
Authorship disputed. --- NNC
- Aristides, Athenian Christian philosopher,
(II Century):
- Apology: One of the Kay
translations, but it is not clear whether this electronic edition is the Syriac or the
Greek version, or just taken from Barlaam and Ioasaph. --- NA
- St. Arsenios of Cappadocia, Greek hermit,
(XX Century):
- Blessing-Psalter:
Suggestions on the use of the Psalms for specific situations in life, by a
famous Greek Orthodox hermit of the twentieth century; a snapshot of Mediterranean peasant
life in any era. Kollias translation, 1995. --- SPL
- St. Athanasius the Great,
Egyptian theologian and Patriarch of Alexandria, (IV
Century):
- Athenagoras of Athens, Christian
philosopher, (II Century):
- St. Augustine, Archbishop of Canterbury,
Roman missionary in England, (VI/VII Centuries):
St. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, African theologian and philosopher, (IV/V
Centuries): [READ WITH CAUTION: Although he is a saint, some of his opinions are strongly
rejected by the Orthodox Church.]
- On
Baptism, Against the Donatists: Denies that St. Cyprian of Carthage would have
supported the Donatist movement, as the Donatists were claiming . --- CCEL
- Biblical Commentaries:
- De Bono Conjugali
Defends the position that marriage is a good, not an evil like fornication, but is
a lesser good than celibacy. Also defends Old Testament figures against critics who regard
them as inferior to monks, because married: they had to marry to become ancestors of the
Messiah or the Prophets. --- CCEL
- De Bono Viduitatis
Letter to a young widow. Remarriage is not forbidden, but remaining single is
better. --- CCEL
- On
Catechising the Uninstructed A ``how-to'' sort of work. Salmond translation.
--- CCEL
- City of
God: Augustine's masterpiece, and one of the most influential books in the
history of Western culture. A Christian meditation on the nature of time and history in
response to the sack of Rome in 410, contrasting the earthly City with the heavenly. Also
contains Augustine's theory of original sin, widely accepted in the Western (but never in
the Eastern) Church. Dods-Wilson-Smith translation. ---CCEL Confessions: Augustine's
famous autobiographical meditation, a classic of Latin literature.
- To Consentius: Against
Lying (somewhere in long, not-yet-indexed file) --- CCEL
- On Continence:
Praises continence and the ascetic struggle, but rejects the Manichee opinion that
the flesh is by nature evil. --- CCEL
- On
the Correction of Donatists: Holds that the Donatists are not without hope of
salvation, but also urges the Orthodox government to put legal pressure on them. ---
CCEL
- De Cura Pro Mortuis (somewhere
in long, not-yet-indexed file) --- CCEL
- On Dialectic: A
typically late-antique educational treatise on the science of argumentation. --- JOD
- Disputation with Fortunatus: Acts
of a debate between Augustine and a Manichee. --- CCEL
- De
Doctrina Christiana: A textbook of Biblical theology, hermeneutics, and
homiletics. Shaw translation. ---CCEL
- Enchiridion: A
"handbook" of essential Christian doctrines as Augustine understood them. Shaw
translation. ---CCEL
- Against
the Epistle of Manichæus called "Fundamental" Attack on a key
document of the Manichee sect to which Augustine once belonged. --- CCEL
- On
Faith of Things Not Seen We have faith in God as we do in the unseen hearts of
our friends. --- CCEL
- Against
Faustus the Manichaean: Faustus was a Manichæan bishop, apologist, and
Biblical critic whom Augustine knew from his own days in the sect. --- CCEL
- De
Fide et Symbolo Expanded version of an address delivered at the Council of
Hippo-Regius in 393. --- CCEL
- Letters: Augustine's
many correspondents included Jerome, Paulinus, and other major figures. Cunningham
translation. --- CCEL
- De Mendacio (somewhere
in long, not-yet-indexed file) --- CCEL
- De Moribus
Ecclesiæ Catholicæ: A philosophical treatise in the Stoic sense, praising
love of God and neighbour as manifested in Orthodoxy; intended for a Manichee audience.
--- CCEL
- De Moribus
Manichæorum: Describes and attacks Manichee doctrine and symbolism. ---
CCEL
- On the
Nature of the Good, Against the Manichæans: An attack on Manichee dualism,
with extracts from Mani's own works. --- CCEL
- De Opere Monachorum (somewhere
in long, not-yet-indexed file) --- CCEL
- On Patience (somewhere
in long, not-yet-indexed file) --- CCEL
- To the People of the Church at
Cæsarea: An appeal for the Donatist Emeritus to become Orthodox; upholds the
essential Orthodoxy of Emeritus' beliefs but affirms he can still not be saved outside the
Church. Copyrighted translation by Jean Goodwin, 1996. --- Northwestern University
- To
Petilian An open letter to the Donatist bishop of Constantine, Algeria. ---
CCEL
- Rule of St. Augustine Widely
used from the V Century on by Latin monks, and in modern times by the Austin Friars and
Canons. Russell translation, 1976.--- JOD
- Soliloquies A very
early work, written soon after his conversion. Augustine himself later pointed out
theological errors in it. Starbuck translation. --- CCEL
- De Symbolo ad
Catechumenos An explanation of the Creed for catechumens. --- CCEL
- On the Trinity
Augustine's famous theory about the details of the triune structure of both divine
and human nature, developed over the whole course of his life. Very influential in the
Latin West, but unpopular in the East. --- CCEL
- On
the Two Souls, against the Manichæans The Manichees' dualism extended to
their theory of human nature. --- CCEL
- O n the
Utility of Believing Written soon after Augustine's ordination and addressed
to a Manichee friend. An attack on the elitism and intellectualism of the Manichee
movement, which put understanding before love.--- CCEL
- On
Virginity Praises the superiority of virginity, but also cautions the celibate
against pride. --- CCEL
- Secondary Sources:
Awlaad al-Assal, Coptic scholarly family,
(XIII Century): [NON-CHALCEDONIAN]
B
- St. Barlaam the Hermit of Ethiopia or Great
India, (IV Century?):
- St. Basil the Great, Bishop of Cæsarea,
Cappadocian Orthodox theologian, (IV Century):
- Canons: Schaff-Wace
translation. --- CCEL
- Epistles:
- Complete collection. Translator
not given. --- NA
- Second
Epistle: In praise of the monastic way of life. Newman-Jackson translation. ---
SPL
- Seventh
Epistle A personal letter to Gregory the Theologian in which Basil asserts
that he is less suited than Gregory to the task of defending Orthodoxy. Jackson
translation. --- SPL
- Eighth
Epistle Ostensibly a justification of Basil's withdrawing into the country to
meditate, this is is one of the finest Orthodox expositions of the Trinity to emerge from
the Arian crisis. However, since the 1920s, most scholars have attributed this work to
Evagrius Ponticus, a controversial disciple of Basil and Gregory the Theologian whose
Origenistic speculations (in other writings) were condemned by the Fifth Ecumenical
Council. The Greek manuscripts themselves, however, ascribe the epistle to Basil. Jackson
translation. --- SPL
- Two-hundred
Thirty-fourth Epistle: Teaches that God's essence is unknowable. This is one
of the key documents of Orthodox apophatic theology. Jackson translation. --- SPL
- The Hexæmeron: A
commentary on the creation story in Genesis, also illustrating Basil's views on science
and its relationship to theology. --- NA
- On the Holy Spirit: One
of the first detailed theological treatments of the Third Person of the Trinity. --- NA
- Works of disputed authorship:
- Eighth
Epistle Ostensibly a justification of Basil's withdrawing into the country to
meditate, this is is one of the finest Orthodox expositions of the Trinity to emerge from
the Arian crisis. However, since the 1920s, most scholars have attributed this work to
Evagrius Ponticus, a controversial disciple of Basil and Gregory the Theologian whose
Origenistic speculations (in other writings) were condemned by the Fifth Ecumenical
Council. The Greek manuscripts themselves, however, ascribe the epistle to Basil. Jackson
translation. --- SPL
- Secondary sources:
- St. Bede the Venerable, English abbot,
historian, and astronomer (VII/VIII Centuries):
- St. Benedict of Nursia,
Italian monastic leader, (V/VI Centuries):
- Monastic Rule: The single most
influential document, after the Bible, in the history of Latin monasticism.
Thatcher-McNeal translation. --- OSB
- Secondary Sources:
- Berthold of Micy, Frankish monk, (IX
Century):
- Life of St. Maximinus of
Micy. A life of the first abbot of Micy, written when the abbey was refounded
in the IX Century. Head translation, 1997. --- T. Head
- Bible:
- St. Boethius,
Roman Christian philosopher, scholar, and government official,
(V/VI Centuries):
- The Consolation of
Philosophy: The imprisoned philosopher is taught to see Providence in the
ever-spinning wheel of Fortuna. Cooper translation. --- University of Virginia
- Secondary Sources:
- St. Boniface of Crediton, English martyr and
missionary in Germany and the Netherlands, (VII/VIII Centuries):
- Oath of Loyalty to the Pope Boniface,
an Anglo-Saxon, was strongly in favour of canonical order and central administration --
unlike some of his missionary colleagues who hailed from Ireland and with whom he was
often in conflict. Robinson translation. --- MSBP
- St. Brendan the Navigator, Abbot of
Clonfert, (V/VI Centuries):
Breviaries:
Coptic: [NON-CHALCEDONIAN]
- Agpeya ---St. Mary's Coptic
Church
Latin: [REFLECTS POST-SCHISM ROMAN CATHOLIC
PRACTICE]
Byzantine Devotional Material and
Hymnography:
C
- St. Caedmon, English poet, (VII Century):
- Codex Junius 11 A
manuscript of religious poetry (Genesis A & B; Exodus; Daniel; Christ and Satan)
compiled in the X Century. Although the authorship is disputed, some or all of these poems
may be the work of the illiterate herdsman who (at the command of angels, according to
Bede) founded English literature. Geo. W. Kennedy translation, 1916. --- OMACL
- Secondary sources:
- Caius, Roman Christian priest, (II/III
Centuries):
- Fragments: Although
Caius is important for his opposition to the Artemonian heresy, his most interesting
fragment for modern readers concerns the writing of the New Testament. Salmond
translation. --- NA
- St. Callistus I, Pope of Rome, (II/III
Centuries):
- First Epistle (To Bishop
Benedict): Concerning the seasons for fasting, and accusations against
teachers. --- NA
- Second Epistle (To the Bishops of
Gaul): Against ecclesiastical conspiracies, bishops meddling in the affairs of
other diocese, marriages between close relatives and other moral and family
irregularities. Also declares that priests who have sinned may resume their duties after
repenting: "Then shall I offer a bullock upon Thy altar." --- NA
- Carmina Gadelica: [READ WITH CAUTION:
This is an example of an oral tradition surviving from the Western Orthodox Church, but
may contain distortions due to centuries of transmission in an heterodox environment.]
- Carmichael translation, with
original Gaelic In the 1800s, Alexander Carmichael (Beachd Alastair) collected
over a hundred ancient poems and prayers still current in the Hebrides. Many
unquestionably date back to the early Celtic Church. --- ISLE OF SKYE GAELIC COLLEGE
- Cassia (Casia or Casiana), Byzantine nun and
poet, (IX Century):
- Cassian, John: see John Cassian
- Cassiodorus, Roman scholar and statesman,
(VI Century):
- Institutiones (excerpts)
A compendium of both sacred and secular learning for the use of monks, including Goths
unfamiliar with the classical heritage. --- JOD
- Secondary sources:
- Catena Aurea:
- The Catena Aurea of
Thomas Aquinas: Edited rather than written by Aquinas, a running commentary on
the Gospels drawn entirely from (mainly Latin but pre-schism) patristic sources. Orthodox
readers should exercise caution, but will probably still find much of benefit. Newman
translation, 1845. --- Apana
- St. Clement I, Pope of Rome, (I Century):
- St. Clement of Alexandria, Christian
philosopher, (II/III Centuries): [READ WITH CAUTION: Although he is probably a saint (St.
Photius, however, questioned this), Clement's writings reflect the influence of the
Gnostics with whom he was constantly debating.]
- Cluny, French monastery:
- Charter of the Abbey of
Cluny: Cluny was the center of one of the great monastic reform movements,
originally (at the time of the charter) an Orthodox movement but later changing direction
and contributing to the Schism. Henderson translation. --- MSBP
- St. Columba of Iona, Irish abbot and
missionary in Scotland, (VI Century):
- St. Columbanus of Bobbio, Irish missionary
in Europe, (VI/VII Centuries):
- Boat Song: As
the editor puts it, this song "captures the mood of adventure and robust faith that
animated the Irish monks." Tierney translation. --- MSBP
- Secondary sources:
- Jonas of Bobbio: Life of St.
Columban: Based on interviews with Columbanus' disciples and friends by a monk
who entered the monastery three years after its founder's repose. Describes the saint's
life in France, his miracles (including the multiplication of beer), his amicable
relations with numerous wild animals, and his involvement in Merovingian politics. Munro
translation, 1907.
- Commodian, Roman or African Christian poet,
date unknown:
A series
of acrostic poems on Christian themes, markedly apocalyptic in tone. --- NA
St. Constantine I (the Great), Emperor of
Rome, (III/IV Centuries):
St. Constantine VI, Emperor of the East,
(VIII Century):
- Sacra: Schaff-Wace
translation. --- CCEL
Coptic Devotional Material and Hymnography:
[NON-CHALCEDONIAN]
St. Cornelius, Pope of Rome, (III Century):
- Fragments of
Epistles: Against the rigorist Novatian, who opposed readmitting to the Church
those who had lapsed under persecution. From Eusebius, EH vi, 43, McGiffert
translation, 1890. --- SPL
Cosmas Indicopleustes, Syrian monk and world
traveler, (VI Century):
Councils of the Church:
- Local Council of Carthage, 257:
- Canons: Schaff-Wace
translation. --- CCEL
Council of Antioch which condemned Paul of
Samosata:
Council of Ancyra, 314:
- Canons: Morally
nuanced canons dealing with the aftermath of persecution as well as more timeless moral
issues. Endorsed by the Council in Trullo. Percival translation, 1899. --- SPL
Council of Neocæsarea, ca. 315:
- Canons: Many
of the canons deal with marital or sexual issues; others with the clergy, including a
curious limitation on the number of deacons later "explained away" by the
Council in Trullo, which endorsed this council. Percival translation, 1899. --- SPL
FIRST ECUMENICAL COUNCIL, Nicæa, 325:
Repudiated Arianism, proclaimed the Son of one essence with the Father, fixed the date of
Pascha.
Decree concerning Easter: Schaff-Wace translation
(CCEL); Tanner translation, (St. Michael's Depot)
Proposed Action on Clerical Celibacy: Schaff-Wace translation
(CCEL);
Local Council of Gangra, 325-381: Schaff-Wace
translation --- CCEL
Synodical Letter:
Schaff-Wace translation --- CCEL
Local Council of Antioch in Encæniis, 341 Schaff-Wace
translation --- CCEL
Synodical Letter:
Schaff-Wace translation --- CCEL
Local Council of Sardica, 343: Schaff-Wace
translation. --- CCEL
Local Council of Laodicea in Phrygia
Pacatiana, 343-381: Schaff-Wace
translation --- CCEL
SECOND ECUMENICAL COUNCIL, Constantinople,
381: Completed the Nicene Creed; defended the divinity of the Holy Spirit, opposing
Macedonius. Creed, canons, etc. Percival translation, 1899. --- SPL
Creed: Schaff-Wace translation
(CCEL); Tanner translation, (St. Michael's Depot)
Synodical Letter: Schaff-Wace translation
(CCEL); Tanner translation, (St. Michael's Depot)
Letter to the Emperor: Schaff-Wace translation
(CCEL);
Various:
- Creeds Recorded by Epiphanius:
Schaff-Wace translation
(CCEL);
Gregory the Theologian: Oration
42 (Valedictory Oration): The canonicity of Gregory's episcopate was
questioned at the Council, and he resigned to av oid further controversy. Browne-Swallow
translation. --- NA
Local Council at Constantinople, 382: This was a "follow-up" council to the Second Ecumenical
Council the year before. Percival translation, 1899. --- SPL
Local Council of Constantinople, 394: Schaff-Wace
translation. --- CCEL
Local Council of Carthage, 419: Schaff-Wace
translation. --- CCEL
THIRD ECUMENICAL COUNCIL, Ephesus, 431: Declared
the Virgin Mary to be Theotokos, opposing Nestorius. Also opposed Pelagianism and other
heresies.
- Acts of the Council (excerpts):
Schaff-Wace translation
(CCEL);
Canons: ---
CCEL
Letters of Cyril of Alexandria:
- First Letter to Nestorius:
- Second Letter of Nestorius to Cyril:
- Third Letter to Nestorius:
Condemnation of Nestorius: Tanner
translation, (St. Michael's Depot)
Twelve Anathemas:
Synodical Letter about the Expulsion of the
Eastern (Nestorian) Bishops: Schaff-Wace translation
(CCEL); Ta nner translati on, (St. Michael's Depot)
Definition of the Nicene Faith: Schaff-Wace translation
(CCEL); Tanner translation, (St. Michael's Depot)< /a>
Definition against the Messalians and
Euchites: Schaff-Wace translation
(CCEL); Tanner translation, (St. Mi chael's Depot)
Resolved: That the Bishops of Cyprus May
Conduct Ordinations: Schaff-Wace translation
(CCEL); Tanner transl ation, (St. Mi chael's Depot)
Formula of Union between Cyril of Alexandria
and John of Antioch: Schaff-Wace translation
(CCEL); Tanner t ranslation, (S t. Michael's Depot)
Letter of Cyril to John:
FOURTH ECUMENICAL COUNCIL, Chalcedon, 451: Declared
Christ to have two natures, contrary to Eutyches. This Council is rejected by the
Non-Chalcedonian Orthodox, who however also oppose Eutychian Monophysitism. [READ WITH
CAUTION: The Latin text of Council documents differs from the Greek, and Western
translators often favour the Western version. The electronic editions do not always
indicate which version is being followed; the versions at New Advent are based on the
Latin text, which emphasizes papal authority.] Letter
defending the doctrine of Christ's two natures: Post-Nicene
Fathers Translation (NA); Latin:
Tanner Translation (St Michael's Depot)
Acts
(extracts): Schaff-Wace translation. --- CCEL
Definition: Schaff-Wace
translation (CCEL); Latin: Tanner translation (St. Michael's Depot )
Canons: Schaff-Wace
translation, (CCEL); Latin: Tanner translation, (St. Michael's
Depot)
Local Council of Orange, 529: [READ WITH
CAUTION: The purpose of this Western Council was to condemn the Semi-Pelagian heresy, but
many Orthodox feel it went too far and reject it.]
FIFTH ECUMENICAL COUNCIL, Constantinople,
553: Condemned Origen and the Three Chapters. Schaff-Wace translation. --- CCEL
Justinian's
Anathemas against Origen: Schaff-Wace translation. --- CCEL
Decretal of Pope
Vigilius: In support of the Council. Schaff-Wace translation. --- CCEL
Local Council of Toledo, 675: [READ WITH
EXTREME CAUTION: This Council is rejected by most Orthodox.]
- Symbol of Faith (This
statement contributed greatly to the Filioque controversy.) --- MSBP
SIXTH ECUMENICAL COUNCIL, Constantinople,
680-681: Proclaimed that Christ had two wills. Schaff-Wace translation. --- CCEL
Definition of Faith: Tanner translation. --- St.
Michael's Depot
Letters of Pope
Agatho: Schaff-Wace translation. --- CCEL
The Quinsext Council "in Trullo",
Constantinople, 692: Schaff-Wace
translation. --- CCEL
Old Canons of
Various Councils approved by the Quinsext Council: Schaff-Wace translation.
--- CCEL
Old Canons Not from
Councils approved by the Quinsext Council: Schaff-Wace translation. ---
CCEL
SEVENTH ECUMENICAL COUNCIL, Nicæa, 787: Schaff-Wace translation. --- CCEL
Dogmatic Decree and Anathemas: Tanner translation. --- St.
Michael's Depot
Canons: Tanner translation. --- St.
Michael's Depot
Sacra: Schaff-Wace
translation. --- CCEL
Creeds: An important early credal formula. Salmond translation,
1871. --- SPL
Third Council of
Constantinople --- ICL
Nicene:Schaff-Wace translation
(CCEL); Tanner translation, (St. Michael's Depot)
Nicene-Constantinopolitan
--- ICL
Creeds Recorded by Epiphanius:Schaff-Wace translation
(CCEL);
St. Cyprian, Bishop of Carthage, African
theologian and martyr, (III Century): Schaff-Wace
translation. --- CCEL
The
Dress of Virgins --- AU
That
Idols Are Not Gods --- AU
Jealousy
and Envy --- AU
The
Lapsed --- AU
The Lord's
Prayer: A line-by-line exposition. Wallis translation, 1886. --- SPL
Exhortation
to Martyrdom, to Fortunatus --- AU
Mortality
--- AU
The
Good of Patience --- AU
The
Unity of the Catholic Church --- AU
Works
and Almsgiving --- AU
Secondary Sources: Denies that St. Cyprian of
Carthage would have supported the Donatist movement, as the Donatists were claiming. ---
CCEL
St. Cyril, Patriarch of Alexandria, (IV/V
Centuries): Schaff-Wace
translation. --- CCEL
First Letter to Nestorius:
Third Letter to Nestorius:
Letter of Cyril to John of Antioch:
Homilies:
- On St.
Luke's Account of the Nativity: Smith translation, 1859
Secondary sources:
Homilies 1 - 5 and 108 - 110 (Commentary
on Luke): R. Payne Smith translation, 1859. --- T. Mayes
Homily 1:
Luke's Account of the Nativity: What is meant by "Firstborn Son"? R.
Payne Smith translation, 1859.
Formula of Union between Cyril of Alexandria
and John of Antioch: Schaff-Wace translation
(CCEL); Tanner translation, (St. Michael's Depot)
Letter of Cyril to John of Antioch:
Secondary sources: Illustrates
how this most celebrated of Egyptian hierarchs and his opponent Nestorius were remembered
in the X Century. [NON-CHALCEDONIAN AUTHOR] --- SPL
St. Cyril, Patriarch of Jerusalem, (IV
Century): Complete.
--- NA
Catechetical
Lectures (Under construction) --- SPL
The
Procatechesis to the Catechetical Lectures --- SPL
The
First Catechetical Lecture --- SPL
The
Second Catechetical Lecture --- SPL
The
Third Catechetical Lecture --- SPL
The Didache:
D
The Didache:
St. Dionysius the Areopagite, Bishop of
Athens, (I Century):
The Liturgy
of St. Dionysius, Bishop of the Athenians. Based on the Areopagite mystical
writings; used by the Syrian Jacobite Church. Parker translation, 1896. [A
NON-CHALCEDONIAN LITURGICAL TEXT, but based on writings accepted by all Orthodox.] SPL
St. Dionysius the Great, Patriarch of
Alexandria, (III Century):
Dioscorus:
E
- Egeria, Western European pilgrim in East,
(IV/V Centuries?):
- Description of the Liturgical
Year in Jerusalem (excerpt) From the journal of an early Western visitor to
the East. This excerpt describes in detail Jerusalem's Christian liturgical cycle.
Modified Duchesme translation. -- Michael Fraser
Encyclicals of the Eastern Patriarchs, (XIX
Century): (in reply to Papal encyclicals)
St. Ephraim of Syria, Mesopotamian Christian
poet, monastic, and theologian, (IV Century):
St. Epiphanius, Bishop of Salamis in Cyprus,
(IV/V Centuries):
Epistle of Barnabas:
Epistle to Diognetus:
St. Eucherius, Bishop of Lyons, (IV/V
Centuries):
Eusebius of Cæsarea: Apart from the New Testament, probably the single most essential
document for the study of Church history before Constantine. --- CCEL
Life of
the Blessed Emperor Constantine: Richardson translation --- CCEL
Oration
in Praise of the Emperor Constantine: --- CCEL
St. Eustochium, Nun of Bethlehem:
Evagrius Ponticus, monastic writer from Asia
Minor, (IV Century): [READ THE NOTE:]
- Works attributed to Evagrius by most XX
Century scholars:
Certain writings of Evagrius were condemned by the Fifth Ecumenical
Council as Origenist. Scholars of the XX Century argued that many of his more
conventional, less speculative, works were preserved under the names of other authors to
evade condemnation. The acceptance of this theory has probably increased the modern
awareness of these particular writings; perhaps Church authorities should should hope that
scholars attribute many more patristic texts to "condemned heretics" ... At any
rate, we have listed these works under both Evagrius and the author whose name appears on
the manuscripts, since people may be looking for them under either. Ostensibly a justification of Basil's withdrawing into the country to
meditate, this is is one of the finest Orthodox expositions of the Trinity to emerge from
the Arian crisis. Jackson translation. --- SPL
Evodius: (In the Letters of Augustine) --- CCEL
F
G
- Gabrielia, Greek Orthodox Eldress, (XX
Century):
- St. Gelasius I (Pope of Rome):
- St. Gennadius, Patriarch of Constantinople:
- Gennadius of Marseilles, historian, (V
Century):
- George the Abbot, Syrian Christian
apologist, (XII Century): [POSSIBLY NON-CHALCEDONIAN]
- St. Gregory I (Dialogos), Pope of Rome,
(VI/VII Centuries):
- St. Gregory II, Pope of Rome, (VII/VIII
Centuries):
- Gregory of Constantinople:
- St. Gregory (Theologos) of Nazianzen,
Cappadocian theologian, (IV Century):
- St. Gregory, Bishop of Nyssa, Cappadocian
theologian, (IV Century):
[READ
WITH CAUTION: Although he is a truly great Eastern saint, a few of Gregory's opinions have
since been rejected by the Church.]
- Two Homilies on Almsgiving:
Copyrighted translation by Richard (Br. Casimir) McCambly and David Salomon. ---
GNHP
- Against Apollinarius:
Copyrighted translation by Richard (Br. Casimir) McCambly and David Salomon. ---
GNHP
- Eulogy for Basil the Great: Copyrighted
translation by Richard (Br. Casimir) McCambly and David Salomon. --- GNHP
- Canons: Schaff-Wace
translation. --- CCEL
- Catechetical
Oration: Strawley translation, 1917. Under construction. --- SPL
- On 1 Corinthians 15:28.
Copyrighted translation by Richard (Br. Casimir) McCambly and David Salomon. ---
GNHP
- Concerning the Dead: Copyrighted
translation by Richard (Br. Casimir) McCambly and David Salomon. --- GNHP
- Commentary on Ecclesiastes:
Copyrighted translation by Richard (Br. Casimir) McCambly and David Salomon. ---
GNHP
- To Euagrius, Concerning the
Divinity: Copyrighted translation by Richard (Br. Casimir) McCambly and David
Salomon. --- GNHP
- Concerning the Faith: In
defence of the Trinity. Copyrighted translation by Richard (Br. Casimir) McCambly and
David Salomon. --- GNHP
- Against Fate: Copyrighted
translation by Richard (Br. Casimir) McCambly and David Salomon. --- GNHP
- Funeral Oration for the
Empress Flacilla: Copyrighted translation by Richard (Br. Casimir) McCambly
and David Salomon. --- GNHP
- On the Forty Martyrs of
Sebaste: Copyrighted translation by Richard (Br. Casimir) McCambly and David
Salomon. --- GNHP
- The Life of Gregory the
Wonderworker: Copyrighted translation by Richard (Br. Casimir) McCambly and
David Salomon. --- GNHP
- Concerning Infants Who Have
Died Prematurely: Are unborn infants in a state of grace? Yes. But are there
advantages in being born? Yes. Then why does God cause some infants to be born, but not
all? Copyrighted translation by Richard (Br. Casimir) McCambly and David Salomon. ---
GNHP
- Life of Macrina: St.
Macrina was Gregory's sister and a major influence on his thought. Apart from its
religious aspect, this is one of the few ancient biographies of a woman intellectual.
Clarke translation, 1916. --- MSBP
- Funeral Oration for Meletius
of Antioch: Copyrighted translation by Richard (Br. Casimir) McCambly and
David Salomon. --- GNHP
- On the Octave, or Psalm 6:
Copyrighted translation by Richard (Br. Casimir) McCambly and David Salomon. ---
GNHP
- On Perfection: Copyrighted
translation by Richard (Br. Casimir) McCambly and David Salomon. --- GNHP
- The Person Who Commits Impurity
Sins Against His Own Body: Copyrighted translation by Richard (Br. Casimir)
McCambly and David Salomon. --- GNHP
- Homily of Consolation on
Pulcheria: The Princess Pulcheria, daughter of Theodosius and Flacilla, died
early in childhood. Copyrighted translation by Richard (Br. Casimir) McCambly and David
Salomon. --- GNHP
- Two Homilies Concerning
Saint Stephen: Copyrighted translation by Richard (Br. Casimir) McCambly and
David Salomon. --- GNHP
- In Praise of the Great
Martyr Theodore: Copyrighted translation by Richard (Br. Casimir) McCambly and
David Salomon. --- GNHP
- Against Usurers: Copyrighted
translation by Richard (Br. Casimir) McCambly and David Salomon. --- GNHP
- The Witch of Endor: Copyrighted
translation by Richard (Br. Casimir) McCambly and David Salomon. --- GNHP
- Secondary Sources:
- McCambly, Br. Casimir, and David Salomon:
- St. Gregory, Bishop of Tours, Frankish
historian, (VI Century):
From
The Glory of the Martyrs. Harrison translation, 1986. --- T. Parment
- Life of St. Salvius:
Actually
an excerpt from The History of the Franks. Rose translation, 1977. --- OCIC
St. Gregory Palamas, Athonite mystic and
theologian, (XIV Century):
St. Gregory Thaumaturgus, Orthodox
missionary in Asia Minor, III Century:
:
- A
Statement of Faith: An important early credal formula. Salmond translation, 1871. ---
SPL
- Canons: Schaff-Wace
translation. --- CCEL
- Secondary sources:
St. Gregory (Theologos)
of Nazianzen, Cappadocian theologian, (IV Century):
H
- St. Hermas (authorship disputed):
- St. Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers, (IV
Century):
I
- St. Ignatius (Theophoros), Patriarch of
Antioch, (I/II Centuries):
- First Epistle to the Ephesians:
- Second Epistle to the Ephesians:
- Third Epistle to the Ephesians:
- Epistle to the Magnesians:
- Epistle to the Trallians:
- Epistle to the Romans:
- Epistle to the Philadelplhians:
- Epistle to the Smyræans:
- Epistle to St. Polycarp, Bishop of
Smyrna:
- Works of disputed authorship: [READ WITH
CAUTION]
- Secondary sources:
- St. Ignatius Brianchaninov, Russian monk,
(XIX Century):
- St. Innocent I, Pope of Rome, (IV/V
Centuries):
- St. Ioasaph, Prince of Ethiopia or Great
India, (IV Century?):
- John of Damascus: Barlaam and
Ioasaph. Considered by some to be patterned on the life of the Buddha; the
name Ioasaph resembles the Persian spelling of Bodhisattva. Authorship disputed. Woodward
and Mattingly translation, 1914. --- OMACL
- St. Irenæus, Bishop of Lyons, (II Century):
- St. Irene, Empress of the East, Restorer of
the Ikons, (VIII Century):
- Sacra: Schaff-Wace
translation. --- CCEL
EARLY CHRISTIAN
WRITERS
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