CHRYSOSTOMUS. JOHANNES (CHRYSOSTOMOS).

Accipe candissimi lector opera diui Joannis Chrysostomi Archiepiscopi Constantinopolitani. (Vol. one of three)

      - Basel, Jacobi de Pfortzen (Jacob of Pfortzheim), 4th of December 1504 (on colophon). Folio. Cont. full calf over wooden boards. Three raised bands to back and richly blindstamped boards. Remains of old brass clasps to back board and new clasps in old style. Old brass corners andend piecs to boards. Rebacked preserving most of the old leather back, which is fairly crackled. Cont. Latin inscription to inside of front board. Title page repaired w. loss to title and part of index. Reapir to upper margin of second leaf, not affcting text. Some dampstaining to upper margin of first half of leaves, Last leaf w. marginal tears and loss, not affecting text. First leaf of fist part repaired, no loss. Ff. (8), CVIII (Homelia prima - Homelia Octuagesima); CXXII (Homelia I - Homelia XLIIII, Liber primus - Liber sextus dialogum, Liber primus - Liber secundus De compunctione cordis, Tractatus de reparatione lapsi, Liber primus - Liber tertius De providentia dei, Sermo I - Sermo XXXVI). A scarce early edition of the first part of the works of St. John Chrysostom (ca. 347-407). The famous Greek preacher, theologian and liturgist, Ionannes Chrysostomos, also Archbishop of Constantinople, was renowned for his eloquence in preaching and public speaking, hence his name (Gold-Mouth). The most famous of his works are probably his Homilies on various books of the Bible and his Sermons, both which are present in this first part of his Works. He is honoured as a saint by the Roman Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church and by the Eastern Catholic Churches, and together with Basil the Great and Gregory the Theologian, the two last count him among the Three Holy Hierarchs. In 381 Chrysostomos was ordained a deacon and in 386 a Bishop. He became very popular and admired for his speeches and sermons, and he was particularly well liked among the people because of his concerns for the poor and his outspokenness against abuse of wealth. He was also considered easy to understand, due to his direct interpretations of the Scriptures, which made his preaching practical and aimed at everyday life. He also founded a number of hospitals in Constantinople, which secured him popular support. In 298 he was appointed Archbishop of Constantinople, but he still refused to take advantage of the privileges granted him as such. He thus became more and more popular with the people but less and less popular with the wealthy citizens and the clergy, and he tried to reform the clergy in Constantinople and rid them of their high lifestyle. Due to his ideologies and abilities as a preacher, Chrysostomos became hugely influential, and his works continue to be of the greatest importance. He is now generally considered the most prominent doctor of the Greek Church, and his works are probably the best preserved of those of any of the Greek Fathers.Graesse II:152. This editon is neither in Brunet nor Adams [Attributes: Signed Copy; Hard Cover]