The article presents the teaching of the pastors of late antiquity (6th-7th c.): Caesarius of Arles, Eligius of Noyon and Ildephonsus of Toledo, on the Christian education of children, a process in which parents and godparents play a special role. They fulfill their obligation not only by instruction but above all by the example of a good life. The ultimate goal of education is the eternal happiness of the children as well as the parents and godparents. Also school is seen as an important factor in the educational process.
The article presents the interpretation of the parable of Lazarus and the rich man (Lk 16,19-31), made by Asterius of Amasea and Nilus of Ancyra. Both authors represent the background of the ancient Church of the east at the turn of the 4th and 5th centuries. The exegesis presented is of a pastoral nature. The history of Lazarus and the rich man subserved both Church Fathers to edify the rich Christians of the necessity to share their goods with the poor. Mercy shown in this way will be repaid in eternal life. A rich man ought to do as much good as he can in this life, as the time is short. Forms of aid to those in need proposed by Asterius and Nilus were not to disturb the existing social order but merely to sensitize to the needs of others. The teaching presented in the commentary in question is within the strand of the social doctrine of the Church Fathers.
The article deals with the teaching of the Church Fathers on the consumption of wine and the ensuing problems. From an analysis of the statements of ancient authors it follows that they were not absolute enemies of wine drinking and claimed that as God’s gift wine could give people joy and warm up the organism. It can therefore without much fear be drunk by the elderly whose desires are curbed by age and reason. The young, however, should be aware of the many dangers entailed by the abuse of alcohol. Drunkenness, according to the teaching of St. Paul, is classified as grave sin. In the opinion of the Fathers drunkards cannot control their emotions and passions and this leads them to neglect their families and draw away from God. For this reason ancient preachers address those who abuse alcohol with words of encouragement to take up struggle against the addiction and in this way take care of the salvation of their souls. In their efforts to free themselves from their addiction they should be supported by those closest to them.
The article outlines the teaching of the Church fathers on marriage and family. Although ancient priests valued life in virginity more, they also saw the fulfillment of God's will in the relationship of a man and a woman. The primary purpose of marriage was the procreation and education of offspring. The Church fathers pointed out that an important part of education was to protect children from the bad influence of the environment and to give them a good examples of parents and educators. It should be emphasized that both the priests and the law of the early Church strongly condemned killing of unborn children.
PL
W artykule przedstawiono zarys nauczania ojców Kościoła na temat małżeństwa i rodziny. Starożytni duszpasterze, chociaż bardziej cenili życie w dziewictwie, to jednak w związku mężczyzny i kobiety widzieli również wypełnienie woli Bożej. Podstawowym celem zawarcia związku małżeńskiego było zrodzenie i wychowanie potomstwa. Ojcowie zwracali uwagę, że ważnym elementem wychowania była ochrona dzieci przed złym wpływem środowiska oraz dobry przykład rodziców i wychowawców. Należy podkreślić, że zarówno duszpasterze, jak i prawo Kościoła starożytnego, zdecydowanie potępiały zabijanie dzieci nienarodzonych.
The article outlines the main directions of the evangelization of the Church Fathers in the 5th and 6th centuries and the numerous obstacles which they encountered in their pastoral ministry. The spreading of pagan practices, magic and all kinds of superstitions were still visible even among the baptized people. Another problem they had to face, no less difficult to overcome, was a moral dissolution, as well as rampant alcoholism. Hence their sermons so often featured merciful God, ready to forgive every person. They also pointed some ways to deepen one’s faith. Thus they tried to form a Christian society, guided by the spirit of the Gospel in every sphere of life.
Das Ziel des Artikels ist die Darstellung und Analyse der Synodenbeschlusse in Toledo im 6. und 7. Jahrhundert, die sich vor allem auf den unter der bauerlichen Bevolkerung verbreitenden Gotzendienst bezogen haben. Bestimmte Formen des Gotzendienstes konnte man auch unter den hoheren Schichten, wie etwa den Geistlichen, beobachten. Die Synodenvater verurteilten nicht nur die Gotzendienstpraktiken an sich, sondern auch all jene, die nicht eifrig genug gegen sie ankampften. In ihren Beschlussen beriefen sie sich auf die Heilige Schrift, aber auch auf die Lehre der Kirchenvater und der fruheren Synoden. Die verfassten Beschlusse weisen eindeutig darauf hin, dass ihr oberstes Ziel die Sorge um die Unverfalschbarkeit des Glaubens und den Heil der Glaubigen war.
The article discusses the process of the Christianization of North Africa. The study is based mainly on the works of the early Christian authors (Tertullian, Cyprian, Lactantius, Augustine) and the decrees of the African synods. From the extant evidence it is difficult to describe the beginnings of Christianity in Africa. It seems to have arrived from Jerusalem and spread among the Jewish communities, over time expanding also among the indigenous inhabitants of Africa. The evangelization was not institutional in character, but the fruit of the life testimony of Christians, the attitude of martyrs, and the zealous work of the clergy. Care was taken first and foremost to conduct a thorough and in-depth catechesis connected with the reception of the sacrament of baptism and in preparation to the celebration of the most important liturgical feasts. Considerable role in the shaping of the Christian society was also played by the synodal activity of the Church. Regrettably, the Christian community was weakened by internal dissensions and the invasion of the Arian Vandals.
PL
W przedstawionym artykule został omówiony proces chrystianizacji Afryki Północnej. Podstawę opracowania stanowią przede wszystkim dzieła autorów starochrześcijańskich (Tertulian, Cyprian, Lakancjusz, Augustyn) oraz uchwały synodów afrykańskich. Na podstawie dostępnych danych, trudno jest opisać początki chrześcijaństwa w Afryce. Wydaje się, że przybyło ono z Jerozolimy i rozprzestrzeniło się wśród wspólnot żydowskich, a z biegiem czasu także wśród rdzennych mieszkańców Afryki. Ewangelizacja nie miała charakteru instytucjonalnego, a była owocem świadectwa życia chrześcijan, postawy męczenników, a także gorliwej pracy duchownych. Starano się przede wszystkim o przeprowadzenie rzetelnej i pogłębionej katechezy związanej z przyjęciem sakramentu chrztu, a także przygotowaniem do obchodów najważniejszych uroczystości liturgicznych. Niemałą rolą w kształtowaniu społeczeństwa chrześcijańskiego odegrała także żywa działalność synodalna Kościoła. Niestety wspólnotę chrześcijan osłabiły toczące ją rozłamy, a także najazd ariańskich Wandalów.
The article discusses the problem of social message of the Fourth Petition in the Lord’s Prayer: “Give us this day our daily bread”. As Fathers of the Church comment on the content of the request, they find its fulfillment “in the hands” of the Christian themselves. This prayer will be answered insofar as the one in prayer adopts the right attitude towards material goods. According to the most ancient commentators, Disciple of Christ should care only about what is indispensable for everyday life. In addition, it is important to ask for bread only “this day” whereas “tomorrow” should be entrusted to God’s Providence. Here they often like to appeal to the Christ’s parable of the rich man, who yielded an abundant harvest (Lk 12, 16-20). Few Fathers, especially Cyprian of Carthage, Gregory of Nyssa and Pseudo-Chrysostom point out that the request for daily bread demands the active help to the needy, as well as the prevention of all forms of social injustice.
The article presents the teaching of St. Ildefonsus of Toledo on the Holy Spirit, especially that contained in his writings devoted to the sacrament of baptism. On the basis of selected passages from the Holy Scripture and reflections of earlier authors, the bishop of Toledo emphasizes the truth of the divinity of the Holy Spirit and His equality with the Father and the Son. He also discusses the role of the Holy Spirit in the work of salvation, drawing particular attention to the act of the Incarnation of the Son of God. However, he definitely devotes the most space to the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of every Christian. The Holy Spirit is the one who bestows the necessary grace, enables man to love God and his neighbour, supports him so that he can increase his knowledge of the mysteries of faith. The Holy Spirit gives strength and wisdom in the work of evangelization. In his teachings, Ildefonsus uses the legacy of the earlier Church Fathers, above all Augustine and Isidore of Seville. But he remains original in the form of presenting the difficult truths of the faith. His language is accessible, vivid and at the same time precise.
PL
W artykule przedstawiono nauczanie Ildefonsa z Toledo o Duchu Świętym zawarte przede wszystkim w jego pismach poświęconych sakramentowi chrztu. Biskup Toledo na podstawie wybranych tekstów Pisma Świętego, jak również przemyśleń wcześniejszych autorów, podkreśla prawdę o bóstwie Ducha Świętego oraz Jego równości z Ojcem i Synem. Omawia również Jego rolę w dziele zbawienia, zwracając przede wszystkim uwagę na akt wcielenia Bożego Syna. Zdecydowanie najwięcej miejsca poświęca jednak ukazaniu roli Ducha Świętego w życiu każdego chrześcijanina. To On obdarza potrzebnymi łaskami, uzdalnia człowieka do miłowania Boga i bliźniego, wspiera go w zgłębianiu tajemnic wiary, umacnia i obdarza mądrością w dziele ewangelizacji. W swoim nauczaniu Ildefons korzysta z dorobku wcześniejszych ojców Kościoła, przede wszystkim Augustyna i Izydora z Sewilli. Natomiast pozostaje oryginalny w formie przedstawienia niełatwych prawd wiary. Jego język jest przystępny, obrazowy, a jednocześnie precyzyjny.
The paper presents the teaching of St. Caesarius of Arles on the subject of the cloister in the life of a nun. It was based on The Letter to Nuns and Rule for Virgins. Caesarian indications are redolent with severity. Under no circumstances were nuns allowed to leave the monastery. They were also very limited in their contacts with the guests, especially with men. All of this was to protect them against the danger coming from such meetings, among which above all the bishop of Arles mentions the temptations against the virtue of chastity. At the same time the monastery is presented as a place safe for the development of all virtues. It is here that every nun finds everything that leads her to the unity with Jesus Christ. That is why her heart should be filled with joy and gratitude towards God.
The article deals with the problem of the responsibility of a poor person for the received gift. Analysis of selected writings of Christian antiquity reveals that every poor person who asks the rich for assistance is responsible to God for the received gift. All those who appeal to the benevolence of the rich and extort their help will answer at God’s judgment. In turn a poor person who is in real need is God’s altar. The alms given to the poor are a sacrifice that the rich offer on the altar of God himself. This confers a supernatural dimension upon alms. Moreover, between the benefactor and the recipient the relation of a reciprocal exchange of goods is established. The poor person who is supported with material goods by a rich person reciprocates with spiritual gifts: intercessory prayer and gratitude that continue even after the benefactor’s death. Thus, the rich person who receives the spiritual gifts benefits more than the poor person because in return for perishable material goods he is given eternal life.
The article discusses the commentary of St. Caesarius of Arles on the Apocalypse of St. John. The bishop of Arles wrote his commentary on the basis of the Ticonius’s study. Due to this fact, the work of Caesarius, which has been saved all in one piece, is an extremely important source of information about the commentary of Ticonius and may be very useful in the process of its reconstruction. The explication of the Apocalypse, written by the Gallic shepherd, is practical. The author tried to make comments on the Apocalypse in the context of the situation of the Church in Gaul. He was more interested in ecclesiological message of St. John’s text rather than in its eschatological message. In consequence, the commentary was very practical and might have been used by priests who had to face such problems as the schism of the Church, rebaptism and relations with heretics.
The article presents the teaching of St. Augustine on priesthood – priests, their attitudes and commitment on pastoral work. Bishop of Hippo’s commentaries on the excerpts from the Gospel of John (J 10, 1-17; J 21, 15-17) are basis for the elaboration. Bishop of Hippo indicates that every priest receives his calling from Christ, the Good Shepherd. Thus, he ought to follow Christ and have absolute trust in Him, believing that without God’s grace he can do nothing in his pastoral work. What appears to be especially interesting is St. Augustine’s proposition that even the ministry of an unworthy priest – the evangelical mercenary – can be of a great benefit to the faithful, provided that they will not follow in his footsteps, but merely fulfill the proclaimed Word of God. In the commentaries one can see St. Augustine as a sophisticated exegete, but above all as a zealous priest of the lay faithful and a formation advisor.
The article took up the problem of evil in magic in the teaching of the Church Fathers. The ancient priests were convinced that magic was the work of the devil himself. Even the pagan world believed that every mage must have had his own demon, who was the source of their strength. Thus a mage remains at a constant relationship with the devil on whom he is dependent. It can be even said that magic leads inevitably to the worship of the devil. Those who practice magic or seek advice from fortune-tellers and astrologers, put themselves at the devil’s disposal, since they make their life decisions dependent on the results of divination or star system. The most serious form of enslavement is demonic possession. Few of the Church Fathers links possession with magic practice, whereas all agree that magic seriously weakens confidence in Divine Providence and leads to a spiritual split, which results in simultaneous participation in the Christian practices and the use of magic services.
This article presents the role of the bishops of Rome in the resolution of three doctrinal disputes (nestorianism, monophysitism, monothelitism) that hit the community of the Church between the 5th and the 7th centuries. Both the teaching of Nestorius and Eutyches were unequivocally condemned by the contemporary bishops of Rome, respectively Celestine and Leon the Great. Their teachings were confirmed by the general councils of Ephesus (431) and Chalcedon (451). Solving the problem of monothelitism has caused even more difficulties to the Holy See because of the attitude of Honorius I, who supported the erroneous teaching of the Patriarch of Constantinople, Sergei. Thus, the work discusses the actions of the subsequent bishops of Rome (especially John IV, Theodore, Martin I and Agathon) for restoring orthodoxy, which resulted in the adoption of resolutions condemning monothelitism by the Third Council of Constantinople (680-681). The article was primarily written on the basis of the preserved correspondence between heresiarchs and the bishops of Rome, the bishops of Rome and the emperors, as well as the resolutions of synods and councils.
The article presents the thoughts of St. Gregory of Nazianzus on the attitudes of priests in their pastoral work. The bases of this study are selected speeches and works of poetry by St. Gregory. The Bishop of Nazianzus indicates first and foremost the importance of the spiritual formation of each priest. Without reducing the importance of an intellectual formation, he puts the concern for the development of the inner life in the primary place. The deeply spiritual priest, having a thorough theological knowledge, can take up the mission of proclaiming God’s word responsibly. The fruitfulness of this ministry also depends on the discernment of the spiritual, moral and intellectual state of the faithful, whom he is serving. St. Gregory also points out the dangers that threaten every priest. These are above all: pride, which leads to the desire to rule and not to serve, as well as materialism and the use of one’s office to further one’s own private interests.
The article discusses the influence of the way of the monastic dress code on helping nuns and monks stay on their spiritual path during formation. The Focus of the study are the rules for nuns and monks developed in the 6th and 7th centuries in Gaul and Spain. The authors of the rules were convinced that the very strict requirements regarding the clothing, as well as the behavior, of consecrated persons, serve the practice of seeking virtue through poverty, obedience and humility. It was required that all the inhabitants of a monastery should wear simple habits with natural colors that no one could consider to be their property. Attention was also paid to the asceticism of sight and the way of walking, which served to preserve the virtue of purity. For the same reason, one was not allowed to take too many baths, except in the case of disease. The whole life of the celibate nuns and monks should be focused on the caring for the development of their spiritual life, and not on the pursuit of external appearance. The humble acceptance of poor attire, temperance in care for the body, and the ability to exercise self-control his eyesight, testified to the spiritual maturity of the nun and the monk.
El artfculo presenta las enseflazas de Asterio de Amasia dirigidas sobre todo a los ricos. La fuente de investigación son tres homilias, entre las cuales dos primeras son comentarios de las parabolas de Jesus sobre El rico y Lazaro y sobre El administrador injusto, mientras que la tercera condena el pecado de avidez. Asterio como otros varios autores de antigiiedad Christiana esta convencido de la posibilidad de salvación de los ricos. Sin embargo para lograr este objetivo hay que cambiar radicalmente el modo de pensar y de comportar. Los ricos deben primero convencerse que el pecado de avidez lleva consigo gran peligro, que destruye las relaciones interpresonales y a veces conduce el hombre al pecado de apostasfa. Luego, experimentando el transcurso de la vida humana, los ricos, deberian darse cuenta de que todo lo que poseen, lo habfan recibido solo en administración y que de esto van a tener que rendir cuenta durante el juicio de Dios. Asi que, lo unico que les queda por hacer es empeflarse eon todas sus fuerzas en la ayuda a los pobres. No parece que Asterio exija categoricamente de los fieles la renunciación total de sus bienes. Sin embargo apoyaba las decisiones tan radicales. Conviene subrayar que toda la ensefiaza de Asterio de Amasia es profundamente arraigada en la Sagrada Escritura y es ejemplo muy interesante de la exegesis patrfstica.
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