Early Church Texts

Tertullian - Ad Uxorem

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:09:51 +0000

A new text has been added to the website: Tertullian's Ad Uxorem (the whole of book 1) in which Tertullian urges his wife not to remarry in the event of his death.

Apostolic Fathers links

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 09:44:30 +0000

There are some updates to report at Early Church Texts.

First of all I noticed that the links to the texts of the Apostolic Fathers no longer seem to be working at Rick Brannan's website. This is a pity and I am not sure if it is permanent. It was a very useful facility. I have updated all the indexed Apostolic Fathers complete text links at Early Church Texts so that they now point to scanned versions of the Kirsopp Lake version at archive.org.
http://www.earlychurchtexts.com/public/apostfaths/clem_i.html
(publicly available version of the site)
or
http://www.earlychurchtexts.com/mainsub/apostfaths/clem_i.html
(subscription version of the site)
Regarding the Shepherd of Hermas, the subscription version of the site has (on the Early Church Texts site) the complete original language text and translation of this work with dictionary lookup links. The public version of the site simply has links to the English translation.

I have created an Early Church Texts Facebook page, so people can now follow news and updates about the site there. Do tell you Facebook friends who are interested in early Christian studies.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Early-Church-Texts/162260627215091

I have been working (subscription site only) on menu links to complete lists of works, and (where I have found them) complete original language texts and translations on external websites for several authors. So you will now find that this applies to John Chrysostom, the three Cappadocian fathers, Athanasius and Ambrose. There were already extensive links to the works of Augustine and Tertullian through the links to augustinus.it and tertullian.org. I have also incorporated links on the menu system to works contained in ANF volume 6, Fathers of the Third Century. This work will continue steadily until hopefully most Christian authors of the first five centuries are covered.

The next text to be uploaded to the website will be the first book of Tertullian's Ad Uxorem, his advice to his wife about whether she should remarry in the event of his death. This should be uploaded in the next week or so.

Andrew Maguire

Athanasius - Third Oration Against the Arians

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 21:52:40 +0000

Athanasius' Third Oration Against the Arians, chapters 29 - 34, has been uploaded to the website. Athanasius reflects on the Word made flesh and the two natures of Christ.

Basil - Letter about ascetic life at Annesos

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 10:55:13 +0000

Basil's Letter 2 to Gregory of Nazianzus has been uploaded to the website. Basil describes the life of the ascetic community at Annesos.

Basil's Longer Rules (7)

Tue, 1 Nov 2011 22:27:44 +0000

A new text has been uploaded to the Early Church Texts website: sections from Basil's Longer Rules, 7 (Regulae Fusius Tractatae), about the importance of Christians living in community. Note too some new links on the menu system of the subscription site. These are links to many Greek Texts and English translations available online for the works of John Chrysostom and Basil. There are also links to the extensive list of works by these authors in the "Thesaurus Linguae Graecae" canon. Over the next few months similar links will be added for other writers, beginning with the other two Cappadocian Fathers.

John Chrysostom - Homily XXI on the Statues

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 15:44:06 +0100

The complete text of this homily which describes how bishop Flavian pleaded for the people of Antioch with the emperor Theodosius.

John Chrysostom - Homily XVII on the Statues

Mon, 3 Oct 2011 20:12:51 +0100

Selections from this homily to the people of Antioch, preached in 387, have been uploaded to the website. This dates from the year 387 following a riot in the city. The courageous intervention of some monks is described.

John Chrysostom - Homily XIII On The Statues to the People of Antioch

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 15:09:59 +0100

The opening sections of this homily to the people of Antioch, preached in 387, have been uploaded to the website. The homily describes the tribunal set up in Antioch by Theodosius following a riot in the city.

Siricius - Decretal to Himerius

Thu, 8 Sep 2011 14:14:27 +0100

This is often seen as the first papal decretal, and requires celibacy of the clergy. (Dating from 385)

Jerome Letter 15 to Pope Damasus

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 16:41:08 +0100

Jerome seeks confirmation from Damasus that it is not right to speak of "three hypostases" in the Godhead.

Aristides - Apology

Mon, 1 Aug 2011 16:32:36 +0100

Chapters 1 - 2 and 15 - 17 of the Greek text of Aristides' Apology have been uploaded to the website. Aristides gives a moving description of the faith and practice of Christians.

Basil - Address To Young Men On The Right Use of Greek Literature.

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 21:35:54 +0100

The complete Greek text of Basil’s Address To Young Men On The Right Use of Greek Literature has been uploaded to the website. On the subscription version of the website the Padelford translation is included. Basil states that, if read with due care, some Greek literature can offer helpful lessons to Christians.

Basil on the Holy Spirit

Tue, 5 Jul 2011 09:49:39 +0100

In a letter (159) to Eupaterius and his daughter Basil affirms the divinity of the Holy Spirit.

Eusebius on the Quartodeciman (Paschal) Controversy

Tue, 28 Jun 2011 08:39:30 +0100

Eusebius of Caesarea, Historia Ecclesiastica, 5. 23 - 25, has been uploaded to the website. The passage is about the 2nd century debate about the date for the celebration of Easter.

Origen - Preface to De Principiis

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 21:39:41 +0100

Rufinus' Latin translation of the Preface to Origen's De Principiis. (The original Greek does not survive) has been uploaded to the website. Origen sets out what he sees as the "Rule of Faith" and the areas where speculation and investigation are permissible.

Note that from now the English translations alongside the original Latin or Greek will only be available on the subscription based version of the site which also has many additional enhancements compared to the publicly available version.

Origen - The Early Years according to Eusebius

Mon, 30 May 2011 15:57:03 +0100

Chapters 2-3 of book 6 of Eusebius of Caesarea's, Historia Ecclesiastica have been uploaded to the website. Eusebius describes the early years of Origen.

The Canons of Gangra (mid 4th Century)

Tue, 17 May 2011 14:06:08 +0100

The Greek and Latin texts of the Canons of the Council of Gangra, together with a translation, have been uploaded to the Early Church Texts website. The canons dealt with the faults alleged against the ascetic Eustathius (bishop of Sebaste) and his followers.

Cyril's Letter to John of Antioch (Formula of Reunion)

Thu, 28 Apr 2011 07:59:37 +0100

Cyril of Alexandria's Letter 39 to John of Antioch (from the year 433) has been uploaded to the website. It describes the uneasy reconciliation that had been achieved between Alexandrian and Antiochene approaches to Christology.
Remember too that the current version of the website becomes subscription based from 2nd May. If you wish to take advantage of the special "advance" offer which gives almost an additional three months subscription to the site (until 31st July 2012) then you will need to visit http://www.earlychurchtexts.com/amember/signup.php by the end of 30th April. The $30 dollar subscription for individuals will ensure continuing access to all the features of the current site and also includes access to all the printable versions of the texts.

Subscription version of website

Sat, 16 Apr 2011 15:03:22 +0100

Note that from 2nd May the current version of the site will become subscription based. Many of the enhanced features of the site will no longer be publicly available. Subscribers will have access to all the printable versions of texts. A favourable advance subscription for individuals can be taken out for $30 at http://www.earlychurchtexts.com/amember/signup.php The "Advance Complete Site Subscription" will give access until 31st July 2012 - very nearly three months longer than the subscription that will be available from 2nd May. Further information about the different versions of the site from 2nd May can be found at http://www.earlychurchtexts.com/main/subscriptioninfo/information_re_subscription_site.shtml There are also subscription options for institutions. Please contact the webmaster if you would like more information on these. Use the contact form on the website under the Home Etc./Email the Webmaster menu link.

Irenaeus on Humanity made in the Image and Likeness of God

Sat, 16 Apr 2011 15:00:17 +0100

A selection of passages from Irenaeus, Adversus Haereses, has been uploaded to the Early Church Texts website. They are on the theme of Humanity made in the Image and Likeness of God.

Lucian - The Passing of Peregrinus

Mon, 28 Mar 2011 15:28:19 +0100

Lucian: The Passing of Peregrinus. Chapters 11-14 have been uploaded to the website, in which Lucian (a 2nd century Greek satirist) tells of how Peregrinus "duped" some 2nd century Christians.

Ambrose and the Synagogue in Callinicum

Tue, 15 Mar 2011 15:07:59 +0000

A new text has been uploaded to the Early Church Texts website:- Ambrose, Letter 40 to Theodosius in which Ambrose urges the Emperor to reconsider his decision to require the Christians of Callinicum to use church funds to rebuild a synagogue burnt by Christians. Please also note 1. That a new version of the software underlying the site's menu system is now in place. This will hopefully give a smoother experience for users than the previous system. Please contact the webmaster via the site's email link (Home etc. menu) to report any problems experienced. 2. From the beginning of May it is planned that there will be a change to the subscription system for the website. All the website texts will continue to be freely available - with the dictionary links. The subscription version of the site will include:- - the current extensive menu system with links to external resources - access to the printable versions of all texts - a brief introduction to each text - textual notes - the site search engine - context sensitive menus on each page The facilities listed above will not be included in the publicly available version of the site. The cost will be $30 per annum for an individual. Anybody who has a current annual printing subscription will be given a new (in some instances extended) subscription proportionate to the amount already paid and the time remaining for their annual subscription. There will also be institutional subscription options. Please contact the webmaster if you wish to know more about these.

Cyril of Alexandria - 2nd Letter to Nestorius

Mon, 14 Feb 2011 06:46:00 +0000

The Second Letter of Cyril to Nestorius has been uploaded, in which Cyril expresses his concerns about aspects of Nestorius' Christology and emphasises the personal (hypostatic) union of the human and divine in Christ.

Athanasius - Heresy about the Holy Spirit

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 20:32:27 +0000

An extract from Athanasius has been uploaded - Epistola ad Serpionem, 1.1. on the beginnings of heresy about the Holy Spirit.

Menu system upgrade - Church Councils

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 22:02:06 +0000

A significant upgrade has been made to the site's menu system. There is now a far more extensive set of links to information about the councils of the third, fourth and fifth centuries. These can be found indexed alphabetically under C/Councils on the vertical menu at the left of the screen, and indexed chronologically under 4th Cent/Councils etc. on the horizontal menu at the top of the screen. Hefele's work on the History of the Christian Councils has been used quite extensively for this purpose and also the helpful information found on the website www.fourthcentury.com. Unfortunately this website is down at the time of uploading the earlychurchtexts.com upgrade. Hopefully fourthcentury.com should be up and running again soon.

Augustine on Pelagianism

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 11:43:31 +0000

A section of Augustine's De Haeresibus has been uploaded to the website - part of chapter 88 in which Augustine describes and assesses Pelagianism.

Egeria - Epiphany in Jerusalem

Tue, 7 Dec 2010 06:24:20 +0000

The Latin text and translation of the Epiphany section of the Pilgrimage of Egeria has been uploaded (chapter 25). This describes the celebration of the Nativity of Christ in Jerusalem towards the end of the 4th century.

Augustine on Nature and Grace

Fri, 26 Nov 2010 23:04:10 +0000

A helpful introduction to Augustine's teaching on Grace from De Natura et Gratia, 3-6.

The Canons of Carthage (418) on sin and grace

Sun, 14 Nov 2010 21:05:00 +0000

Canons agreed in Carthage (in 417 or 418) directed against the teachings of Pelagius and Celestius.

Pelagius and his denial of Original Sin

Sat, 30 Oct 2010 22:53:12 +0100

From Augustine, De Peccato Originali, 13.

Pelagius Letter to Demetrias, chapter 16

Mon, 11 Oct 2010 07:17:29 +0100

Pelagius' advice to a woman from the Roman nobility who, shortly before she was to be married, decided to devote herself to the religious life. In this letter he sets out his understanding of the interaction of human effort and divine help.

Ambrose - Letters 17 and 18 to Valentinian II

Tue, 28 Sep 2010 09:03:02 +0100

Ambrose's Letters 17 and 18 to Valentian II in response to Symmachus' Plea for the restoration of The Altar of Victory to the Roman Senate House (dating from the year 384).

Symmachus - Plea to Valentinian II

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 12:26:13 +0100

The plea of Symmachus (Relatio Symmachi) to Valentinian II in the year 384 for the restoration of the Altar of Victory to the Roman Senate House is given in Migne alongside the 17th Letter of Ambrose. Ambrose vigorously opposed the request of Symmachus and the Altar was not restored.

Hymn Singing in Milan during the time of Ambrose

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 15:34:46 +0100

A passage from Augustine's Confessions (9. 7. 15), about hymn singing in Milan under the episcopacy of Ambrose, and also the discovery of the relics of the martyrs Gervasius and Protasius. Ambrose is often seen as "The Father of Liturgical Hymnody" in the western church.