Instructions to Catechumens

Ancient Christian Writers #31

by John Chrysostom

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Saint John Chrysostom, 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 surname chrysostomos, meaning "golden mouthed", rendered in English as 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 (commentaries), eight directed against Judaizing Christians remain controversial for their impact on the development of Christian antisemitism.

Genres: Christianity, Theology, Religion, Christian

32 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1962

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.

Reviews

[brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

truly golden-mouthed.

beseeching the reader to renounce the devil and his ways is presented in such beautifully crafted speech.

a few of my favorite excerpts:

"But to be forbearing and kind, and so forth, are matters of our own choice; and God demands of us only those things of which we have control."

"For in the case of worldly soldiers, those who are about to enlist them for the army seek for stature of body and healthy condition... for if anybody be a slave, he is rejected. But the King of Heaven seeks nothing of this kind, but receives slaves into his army, and aged people, and the languid in limb, and is not ashamed. What is more merciful than this?"

"Because it does not simply take away our sins, nor simply cleanse us from our faults, but so as if we were born again... God has taken and cast anew, and throwing it into the waters as into a mould, and instead of fire sending forth the grace of the Spirit, then brings us forth with much brightness, renewed, and made afresh, to rival the beams of the sun, having crushed the old man, and having fashioned a new man, more brilliant than the former."

[Wilson]

You may find the title a bit misleading. This book focused primarily speaking of a believers union with Christ like in marriage. I was expecting the book to tell who and how one is to be baptized. However, that was not the case. This may have been more of a catechesis?

Also, he provided many rebukes and specific instructions to woman as to how they should dress. I'm guessing from this: "Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— 4 but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious." (1 Peter 3:3-4). Let's just say his words would not be well-received by many in our day.

[Joshua Pearsall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short, but wonderful read with powerful exhortations. Definitely several spots of theological and exegetical disagreement (though this may simply have been allegorical text for the sake of talking to those about to be baptized). He definitely gives man much more power and will pre-regeneration than I do, maybe I´m too influenced by the Reformed (I jest). This isn't something that is a super deep pool to be dove into, its a short and powerful exhortation to those about to join the body of Christ and the type of life that will come with. Warnings of dangers to that life and encouragement to those things that will help.

[Adonis McReynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thorough as ever Chrysostom gives the catechumen crucial and holy wisdom prior to receiving the divine mysteries of the Master. 5 stars!

[Alex Szurkus · Rating 5 out of 5]

*** I am using this as a stand-in for the version I read, which is Baptismal Instructions by Saint John Chrysostym, translated and published by St. Anthony’s Greek Orthodox Monastery. ***

Baptismal Instructions by Saint John Chrysostom is an excellent and timeless guide for Catechumens and Neophytes, offering both profound Theological teaching and practical insight into the calling and life of a Christian. With characteristic clarity and eloquence, Saint John speaks directly to the hearts of the soon to be and newly illumined, using beautiful analogies that bring spiritual Truths to life and reveal the depth of God’s Love and the seriousness of Christian commitment. His words are pastoral yet bold, preparing the Faithful to embrace their new life in Christ with sobriety, Joy, and zeal. I would wholeheartedly recommend this work to every Catechumen or Neophyte in the Church.

[Joshua Rex · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this for my great books class, some was convicting and some went over my head. It may be more helpful when I unpack it with my teacher later.

[Matthew Aravena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book, half of it is index and notes with suggested further reading. Beautifully written.

[Paolo Bagnato · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bellissimo. Da leggere e rileggere

[Ross Heckmann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for anyone, whatever your beliefs, who wants to know about the real Christian life, not the shallow, fake one we so often see, and experience, if we are not constantly sober and vigilant (as St. John Chrysostom so often emphasized in this book). In this series of discourses to a group preparing for baptism, and then newly baptized, St. John Chrysostom (349-407 AD) lively and warmly sets forth the Christian life, Christian character, Christian disciplines, Christian habits, Christian mysteries, and sinful and worldly attitudes, practices, habits, and places to avoid. The notes were also great and aptly quoted other works by St. John Chrysostom relating to the same subject as the one dealt with in the main text. For example: "In Non ad grat. conc. (MG 50:659D-60C) he says: 'Do you see how many testimonies prove to us that the recollection of our sins is profitable and that the recollection of our good deeds does us harm? On the other hand, to forget our sins brings harm, while to forget our good deeds brings profit.'" (Page 286, fn. 34.) Oh, if only we, and each group to which we belong, including church and nation, would follow this teaching! In other place, the note writer explains St. Chrysostom's teaching and episodes from his life and his example as well: "The Church is above all classes based on rank or language. In the body of the Church, as in Christ, there is neither Greek, nor barbarian, nor slave, nor free. All are brothers and members of the same body. Chrysostom fought hard to better the lot of the poor and to rehabilitate the ethnic minorities, as here he pleads in favor of the Syriac-speaking people from the countryside. At Constantinople he was much interested in the Gothic colony, put a church at their disposal, and gave a mangnificent sermon to their congregation on the catholicity of the Church (MG 63.499-510)." (Page 282, fn. 7.) Do read this book, you won't regret it.

[Brian Rhea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Contains twelve homilies St. John Chrysostom delivered to catechumens before and after their Paschal baptisms, newly discovered in the twentieth century and so not contained in the Post Nicene Fathers series. This edition is nearly half endnotes, offering important liturgical context and extensive parallels in other texts (Chrysostom's homilies and other writings). A rich introduction to early Christian sacramental thought and practice.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for all those who baptize - or who participate in baptisms (including parents and godparents)!