Old Testament Homilies

by John Chrysostom

Three volumes with Chrysostom's homilies on Old Testament prophets, heroes and texts. Volume One includes homilies on Hannah, David and Saul. Volume Two includes homilies on Isaiah and Jeremiah. Volume Three includes homilies on various Psalms and on the obscurity of the Old Testament. "Sometimes by choice, sometimes of necessity, St John Chrysostom in the course of his ministry in Antioch and Constantinople addressed congregations on Old Testament texts and figures, including the prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah. It may have been political developments in Antioch, like the Statues affair in 387 putting emperor and bishop at odds, that made a prolonged commentary on David and Saul also an apposite subject. Or the liturgy of the day may have required exposition of a psalm text sung as a response. Or perhaps the relative obscurity of the Old Testament in general called for comment. In these three volumes a score of Chrysostom's homilies on Old Testament prophets, heroes and texts are finally made available in English, throwing light on him as homilist, scriptural interpreter, liturgical leader, moral and spiritual guide, and even as political commentator. Volume One includes homilies on Hannah, David and Saul."

166 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

John Chrysostom (c. 347–407, Greek: Ἰωάννης ὁ Χρυσόστομος), Archbishop of Constantinople, was an important Early Church Father. He is known for his eloquence in preaching and public speaking, his denunciation of abuse of authority by both ecclesiastical and political leaders, the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, and his ascetic sensibilities. After his death in 407 (or, according to some sources, during his life) he was given the Greek epithet chrysostomos, meaning "golden mouthed", in English and Anglicized to Chrysostom.

The Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches honor him as a saint and count him among the Three Holy Hierarchs, together with Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzus. He is recognized by the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Catholic Church as a saint and as a Doctor of the Church. Churches of the Western tradition, including the Roman Catholic Church, some Anglican provinces, and parts of the Lutheran Church, commemorate him on 13 September. Some Lutheran and many Anglican provinces commemorate him on the traditional Eastern feast day of 27 January. The Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria also recognizes John Chrysostom as a saint (with feast days on 16 Thout and 17 Hathor).

John is known in Christianity chiefly as a preacher, theologian and liturgist. Among his homilies, eight directed against Judaizing Christians remain controversial for their impact on the development of Christian antisemitism.