Category Archives: Patristica

(43.1) And how wonderful that those in Christ, having been entrusted with such a work by God, appointed the aforementioned.

(43.2) For when that jealously fell out concerning the priesthood, and the tribes, rebelling as to which might be adorned with that glorious name, he commanded the twelve tribal leaders to bring to him rods, each inscribed with the name of a tribe. And having taken them, he bound and sealed them with the rings of the tribal leaders, and laid them down in the Tent of Meeting, by the table of God.

(43.3) And having locked the Tent, he sealed the keys in similar manner to the rods.

(43.4) And he said to them, “Men, brethren, whichever tribe whose rod may have sprouted, God has chosen to be priests and to minister to Him.”

(43.5) When it was morning, he called together all Israel, six hundred thousands, and pointed out the seals of the tribal leaders. Then he opened the Tent of Witness, and brought out the rods. And it was found that the rod of Aaron, having not only blossomed, indeed even bore fruit.

Continue reading “1 Clement 43-58”

(33.1) What, then, should we do, brethren? Become idle in doing good, and abandon love? May the Master never permit this to happen with us. Rather let us hurry with earnestness and eagerness to accomplish every good work.

(33.2) For the Creator and Master of everything rejoices in His works.

(33.3) For in His infinitely great power he established the heavens, and in His incomprehensible understanding He set them in order. He separated the earth from the water surrounding it, and fixed the firm foundation upon His own will. And by His command He ordered the animals wandering in it to be. Having previously created the sea and the animals in it, he enclosed them by His power.

(33.4) Above all, by His holy and blameless hands He formed, certainly by far the greatest of His plan, man, the exact representation of His image.

Continue reading “1 Clement 33-42”

(23.1) The Father, merciful and compassionate to all, has compassion for those fearing Him, gently and kindly giving out His gifts of grace to those approaching Him with a single mind.

(23.2) Therefore let us not be double-minded, nor let our soul entertain strange notions about His extraordinary and glorious gifts.

(23.3) Far be that Scripture from us, where it says, “Wretched are the double-minded, the doubters of soul, who say, ‘These things were even heard by our fathers, and behold, we have grown old and none of them have happened to us.’

(23.4) “You mindless ones! Compare yourselves to a tree; take the vine. Indeed, first it sheds leaves, then a bud is produced, then a leaf, then a flower, and after these, an unripe grape, becoming then a bunch of grapes.” See in how short a time has come the fruit of the tree to ripeness.

(23.5) In truth, quickly and suddenly will His will be accomplished, as the Scripture also bears witness, that He will come quickly and will not delay, and “Suddenly will the Lord come to His temple, even the Holy One, for Whom you wait.”

(24.1) Beloved, let us contemplate how the Master continually points out to us the future resurrection will happen, of which He has made the Lord Jesus Christ the firstfruits by raising (Him) from the dead.

Continue reading “1 Clement 23-32”

(20.1) At His direction, the heavens are shaken, being subject to Him in peace.

(20.2) Day and night finish the course appointed by Him, not impeding one another.

(20.3) According to His direction, sun and moon, and the dancing groups of stars roll on through their appointed courses in harmony, without any deviation.

Continue reading “1 Clement 20-22”

(16.1) For Christ is with the humble-minded, not with those who exalt themselves over His flock.

(16.2) The scepter of the majesty of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, did not come in the boasting of pretension or arrogance, though able, being instead humble-minded, as the Holy Spirit said about Him. For He says,

(16.3) “Lord, who has believed our report, and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? We have proclaimed before Him: like a child, like a root in thirsty ground. He has no form or glory; and we saw Him and He had no form or beauty, rather His form was despised, inferior to the form of other men, a man of wounds and affliction, and knowing how to bear suffering, for He turned His face away. He was despised and not taken into account.

(16.4) “He bears our sins and suffers for us, and we accounted Him to be (deserving) in affliction and in wounds and in mistreatment.

(16.5) “But He was wounded for our sins, and bruised for our lawlessness. The discipline of our peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.

Continue reading “1 Clement 16-19”

(7.1) Beloved, we write not only admonishing you, but also reminding ourselves, for we are in the same arena and the same contest is imposed on us.

(7.2) Therefore, let us leave behind the empty and worthless concerns, and approach the renowned and honorable rule (canon) of our tradition.

(7.3) And let us look to what is good, and what is pleasing, and what is acceptable before our Maker.

(7.4) Let us look to the blood of Christ, which is precious to His Father, which, having been poured out for our salvation, has made available to the whole world the abundance of repentance.

(7.5) Let us go through every generation and observe that, from generation to generation, the Master has granted a place of repentance to those who would turn to Him.

Continue reading “1 Clement 7-15”

(4.1) For as it is written, “And it happened after some days, that Kain brought a sacrifice to God from the fruits of the earth, and Abel also brought (a sacrifice), from the firstborn of the flocks, and from their fat.

(4.2) “And God looked with favor on Abel and on his gifts; He did not look with favor on Kain and on his sacrifices.

(4.3) “And Kain was greatly grieved and his face fell.

(4.4) “And God said to Kain, ‘Why are you sad, and why has your face fallen? If you offered rightly, but did not divide rightly, have you not sinned?

Continue reading “1 Clement 4-6”

Here are the first three chapters of 1 Clement, which I’ve just translated. My original intent was just to rewrite the ANF/NPNF series versions in more modern English, but a fresh translation is how it’s turning out. I’m trying to maintain the rhetorical tricks in English that are found in the Greek original, where they’re not too un-English. The result is coming along nicely, I think. I’d like to know what you think, dear readers!

(1.1) The Church of God sojourning at Rome, to the Church of God sojourning at Corinth, those called and made holy through the will of God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Grace and peace to you be multiplied from Almighty God through Jesus Christ.

Continue reading “1 Clement 1-3”

A brother at Scetis committed a fault. A council was called to which Abba Moses was invited, but he refused to go to it. Then the priest sent someone to say to him, “Come, for everyone is waiting for you.” So he got up and went. He took a leaking jug, filled it with water and carried it with him. The others came out to meet him and said to him, “What is this, Father?” The old man said to them, “My sins run out behind me, and I do not see them, and today I am coming to judge the errors of another.” When they heard that they said no more to the brother but forgave him.

The Sayings of the Desert Fathers (Cistercian Publications), p. 138-9.

Roger Pearse has been passing around the news that in celebration of publishing their 500th volume in the Sources Chrétiennes series, all volumes are on sale at 50% off through the end of May. So, if you’ve got any Patristic writers for which you want an original language text with a French translation, chances are they’re in the series and now’s your chance to save big. I placed my order through La Procure, which worked just fine; they accept bank cards and credit cards. Roger has heard rumours of financial difficulties in the SC project, so if you wish to contribute to this excellent project, you may do so on their site.