Chrysostomus, Johannes, Saint

De Reparatione Lapsi. [Crisostomus De Reparat(I)One Lapsi Ad Amanticu(M) Lapsum. ]

      [Ulrich Zell, ], [1467-1472. ]. 4to. [a-e8. ] 40 leaves. Modern limp vellum, using old vellum, with title in ms on cover; edges speckled red. Fine copy. Housed in morooco backed folding box. ] Though it is now separated, this is the Sexton-Berland-Kraus copy. ] First 4 line initial "Q" blue ink surrounded by red penwork decoration in the margin, other initials in red and blue Lombard letters. "De reparatione Lapsi" is a Latin translation of the longer of Chrysostom's Paraeneses ad Theodorum Iapsum. This treatise dates from the four-year period when Chysostom was an anchorite, probably some time between 373 and 381. It is an exhortion in defense of ascetic life to his friend Theodore, who had left monastic life and hoped to marry. Theodore later returned, was ordained, and became bishop of Mopsuestia. "Saint John Chrysostom (c.347&endash; c.407, archbishop of Constantinople, was an important early father of the church. He is known for his eloquence in preaching and public speaking, his denunciation of abuse of authority by both ecclesiastical and political leaders, the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, and his ascetic sensibilities...Known as "the greatest preacher in the early church, " John's sermons have been one of his greatest lasting legacies. Chrysostom's extant homiletical works are vast, including many hundreds of exegetical sermons on both the New Testament (especially the works of Saint Paul) and the Old Testament (particularly on Genesis). Among his extant exegetical works are sixty-seven homilies on Genesis, fifty-nine on the Psalms, ninety on the Gospel of Matthew, eighty-eight on the Gospel of John, and fifty-five on the Acts of the Apostles. The sermons were written down by the audience and subsequently circulated, revealing a style that tended to be direct and greatly personal, but was also formed by the rhetorical conventions of his time and place. In general, his homiletical theology displays much characteristic of the Antiochian school (i.e., somewhat more literal in...