An Ornament for the Altar A Translation of Chrysostom's Sermon Concerning Eutropius by Professor DAVID C. FORD
Translator's Preface: Eutropius was a high-ranking official — a
the main preacher. Once inside the church,
consul — in the imperial government, and
the panic-stricken man ran up and threw his
the grand chamberlain in the imperial
arms around the altar.
court of Constantinople. He had arranged
In
a
wonderful
testimony
to
the
the marriage of Emperor Arcadius and
archbishop’s
Empress Eudoxia in 395 and had such
allowed Eutropius to stay and use the
influence with the imperial couple that he
cathedral as a refuge from the authorities.
was considered the most powerful person
This is all the more remarkable given that
in the Eastern Roman Empire. He was also
Eutropius had set himself up as an opponent
fabulously
apparently
of the Church and had even tried to restrict
much of that wealth had been acquired
the Church’s right to provide sanctuary to
through extortion.
those fleeing there. But not only did St. John
wealthy, though
Suddenly, in 399, he fell out of favor with Empress Eudoxia, who had been protecting
magnanimity,
Chrysostom
forgive the man, but he also urged his flock to do the same.
him from mounting popular opposition.
What follows is the bulk of the sermon 1
When guards were sent to arrest him,
preached by Chrysostom on the day after
Eutropius managed to flee to the leading
Eutropius fled into the church, while he
church of the city, Hagia Sophia, where St.
was again clinging to the altar. Chrysostom
John Chrysostom, the city’s archbishop, was
begins by addressing the consul.
1. The original Greek text is found in PG 52.391B-396C. An alternate, much older English translation can be found in the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, first series, volume IX, pp. 249-252.
jacob's well
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