Early Church Texts

Update to Site Video Guide

Mon, 13 May 2013 14:27:19 GMT

An update for the site's introductory video has been prepared and uploaded reflecting some of the new features on the site added in recent months.

Links to New Texts Added

Mon, 13 May 2013 14:27:45 GMT

Links to the Greek texts in Migne's Patrologia and translations, where found, have been uploaded for:-
Severian of Gabala, Theophilus of Alexandria, Historia Monachorum, Philostorgius, Atticus, Proclus, Flavian, Mark the Hermit and Diadochus. These are all from Migne PG Vol. LXV.
The links can by found (by subscribers only) on the subscription version of the website.

Pseudo-Macarius - Homily 18 on Christian Perfection

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 20:05:36 GMT

A new text has been uploaded to the Early Church Texts website: Pseudo-Macarius, Homily 18 on Christian Perfection.

Links have also been uploaded to the website to the Greek text and an English translation (both offsite) of Mark the Deacon's Life of Porphyry of Gaza. The Mark links are accessible only to subscribers.

The Greek text and translation of the Pseudo-Macarius is accessible to all, though you will need to subscribe to the website if you wish to see the Greek text and translation alongside each other.

Apophthegmata Patrum - The Sayings of the Desert Fathers and Mothers

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 10:49:47 GMT

Links to the Greek text and a translation of the version found in Migne PG of the "Apophthegmata Patrum" have been uploaded to the Early Church Texts website. These "sayings" are a rich source of information on the wisdom and history of the desert fathers and mothers of the fourth and fifth centuries.

These links are only available through the subscription version of the website.

Links to Complete Greek Texts

Mon, 08 Apr 2013 10:14:34 GMT

Over the last week or so links to works in Migne PG volumes 18, 78 and 79 have been added to the Early Church Texts website, along with links to English translations where they have been found. The writers to whom this relates are:- Alexander of Alexandria, Alexander of Lycopolis, Eustathius of Antioch, Isidore of Pelusium, Marcellus of Ancyra, Methodius of Olympus, Nilus of Ancyra, Peter (I) of Alexandria, Titus of Bostra, Theodore of Heraclea, Zosimas Abbas. This update applies only to the subscription version of the website.
All the links can be found through the site menu system or by scrolling through the list of links to complete works and translations at:-
http://www.earlychurchtexts.com/sitemap_complete_works.htm
(This link is accessible to non-subscribers, but accessing the texts through Early Church Texts requires a subscription.)

The Philokalia at Early Church Texts

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 21:41:51 GMT

Links to complete Greek texts and translations (from or attributed to the first five centuries) in The Philokalia have been uploaded to the Early Church Texts website. It is possible to view the Greek text and translation alongside each other. The links are to texts on external websites. There are writings by or attributed to Antony, Diadochus of Photiki, Evagrius, Hesychius, Isaiah the Solitary, John Cassian, Mark the Ascetic, Neilus the Ascetic and Theognostus. The Philokalia is a collection of texts by spiritual masters of the Eastern Church. These carefully prepared links are available only to subscribers to the website.

Synesius - Letter 105 about his appointment as Bishop of Ptolemais

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 21:41:46 GMT

A new text has been uploaded to the website: Synesius, Letter 105 to his brother, in which he expresses his doubts and anxieties about his appointment as bishop of Ptolemais, around the year 410. Synesius was a married man who came from a background of Greek philosophy and he wonders if this could create difficulties in his new role.

Evagrius of Pontus and Isaiah the Solitary

Fri, 15 Mar 2013 21:39:14 GMT

Links to several complete original language texts and translations of works of Evagrius of Pontus and Isaiah the Solitary have been uploaded to the subscription version of the Early Church Texts website.

Egyptian Fathers - Texts and Translations

Fri, 01 Mar 2013 10:17:44 GMT

A number of new links to complete texts and translations have been uploaded to the subscription version of the Early Church Texts website. These are mainly from or linked with volume 40 of Patrologiae Graecae Cursus Completus (Egyptian Fathers). The authors concerned are:- Philo of Carpasius, Asterius of Amasea, Nemesius of Emesa, Hieronymus Theologus Graecus, Orsiesius Abbas Tabennensis, Serapion Thmuitanus Episcopus, Pachomius Tabennensis Abbas, Antony of Egypt.

Palladius - Greek texts and translations

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 12:01:07 GMT

Links to Greek texts and translations of the writings of Palladius have been uploaded to the subscription based version of the Early Church Texts website.
Interesting works of Palladius are his "Dialogus de Vita Joannis Chrysostomi", which gives us much information about the life of Chrysostom, and his "Historia Lausiaca" in which he wrote about the monks of Egypt and Palestine.

Macarius of Egypt and Pseudo-Macarius

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 12:00:37 GMT

Links to Greek texts and translations of the works of Macarius of Egypt/Pseudo-Macarius have been uploaded to the subscription based version of the Early Church Texts website. Additional links to background information about Macarius of Egypt and Pseudo-Macarius have been added to the site menu system.
The Homilies and Great Letter have been influential in the spiritual tradition of the Eastern and Western Church. For Methodists it is interesting to note that John Wesley included several of the Homilies of Macarius in his "Christian Library", which he described as "Extracts from and Abridgments of the Choicest Pieces of Practical Divinity Which Have Been Published in the English Tongue".

Synesius of Cyrene

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 12:00:46 GMT

Synesius, Hymn 6 to Christ has been uploaded to the Early Church Texts website.
Synesius is an interesting example of someone steeped in Greek culture and philosophy who became a Christian Bishop.

Ambrose and Valentinian II

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 21:27:33 GMT

A new text has been uploaded to the website: Ambrose Letter 20 to his sister Marcellina in which he describes the events of Holy Week 385 or 386 when Valentinian II sought to seize a basilica in Milan for the use of Arian Christians.

Links have also been added on the subscription version of the site to all the Greek texts of Gregory of Nyssa and Theodoret in Migne's Patrologiae Cursus Completus.

Cyprian on The Eucharist

Tue, 20 Nov 2012 08:11:45 GMT

Cyprian's Epistle 63 to Caecilius has been uploaded (extracts) in which Cyprian writes about the importance of both wine and water being used in the Eucharistic cup.

Note that further links (subscription version of site only) have been added to texts and translations offsite: Greek texts of Cyril of Alexandria in Migne and also several online translations of Cyril; Greek texts of Gregory Nazianzen in Migne. Links have also been added to other minor writers in the associated Migne volumes: Acacius of Beroea, Acacius of Melitene, Amphilochius of Sida, Caesarius, Firmus of Caesarea (Cappadocia), John of Antioch, Memnon of Ephesus, Paul of Emesa, Rabbula(s) of Edessa, Theodotus of Ancyra.

Theodotus the Cobbler and Theodotus the Banker

Mon, 29 Oct 2012 21:52:42 GMT

A new text has been added to the Early Church Texts website: Eusebius, Historia Ecclesiastica, 5.28 in which Eusebius gives information about Theodotus the Cobbler and Theodotus the Banker and their adoptionist Christology.

Links have also been added on the site menu system to Latin works of Jerome contained in Migne's Patrologiae Cursus Completus (subscription version of site only).

Irenaeus Books - Athanasius Texts - Mansi Councils

Wed, 10 Oct 2012 08:41:04 GMT

1. Links have been added to several Irenaeus related books (studies and translations) on the Amazon website (publicly available).
2. Links have been added to the complete texts of Athanasius contained in Migne PG volumes 25 - 28 (subscripti on version of the website - see under Texts/Athanasius/Text resources offsite).
3. Links have been added to the menu system to the index pages in the Mansi "Sacrorum Conciliorum Nova et Amplissima Collectio" volumes. See under the "Councils" sections of the top "centuries" menus. There are also links to pages in the relevant volumes so that, by using the index pages, it should be possible easily to navigate to texts related to particular Councils. (subscription version of the website)

Irenaeus on the Eucharist - and links to the works of Basil

Mon, 01 Oct 2012 20:33:53 GMT

A new text has been uploaded to the Early Church Texts website: A passage from Irenaeus' Adversus Haereses (4. 31 in the Harvey edition) in which he writes about the nature of The Eucharist.

Also work has been progressing on adding links to complete original language works in Migne's Patrologiae Cursus Completus. Links are now in place to the works of Basil contained in volumes 29 - 32 of the Greek series (subscribers only).

The Works of John Chrysostom

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 10:19:40 GMT

A page has been uploaded to the Early Church Texts website with links to an extensive range of original language works by or attributed to John Chrysostom. The links cover nearly all of the works in Migne's Patrologiae Cursus Completus, Series Graeca.

This page is available only for those who have taken out a subscription to the Early Church Texts website. Clicking on the link given here will take subscribers direct to the page or lead to the page where a subscription can be taken out.

Jerome - a follower of Cicero or Christ?

Mon, 20 Aug 2012 21:42:15 GMT

A new text has been uploaded to the Early Church Texts website: Section 30 of Jerome's Letter 22 to Eustochium in which Jerome describes how he had a vision in which he is challenged before God's judgment seat about whether he is a follower of Cicero or Christ.

Eusebius on Pantaenus

Mon, 23 Jul 2012 20:29:44 GMT

A new text has been uploaded to the Early Church Texts website: Chapters 10 to 11 from the fifth book of Eusebius, Historia Ecclesiastica. In these chapters Eusebius writes about Pantaenus, the late 2nd century Christian teacher at Alexandria.

Also direct links to the complete Migne versions of original language works (at Google Books) for 1st, 2nd and some early 3rd century authors with names beginning A-P have now been added to the menu system (subscription version of site only), along with links to online English translations where they have been found.

Jerome - Letter 45 to Asella

Thu, 12 Jul 2012 12:51:43 GMT

A new text has been uploaded to the Early Church Texts website: Jerome's Letter 45 to Asella in which he describes his departure from Rome in 385, having faced slander. There is also information about Jerome's links with well connected Christian women in Rome.

Direct links to the complete Migne versions of original language works (at Google Books) for 1st, 2nd and some early 3rd century authors with names beginning A-H have now been added to the menu system (subscription version of site only), along with links to online English translations where they have been found.

Imperial Confirmation of Chalcedon

Mon, 11 Jun 2012 17:35:14 GMT

A new text has been uploaded to the Early Church Texts website: The edict of Marcian and Valentinian III, following the Council of Chalcedon, confirming the doctrinal decisions of the Council and requiring compliance.

Letter of the Council of Chalcedon (451) to Leo

Mon, 21 May 2012 17:28:32 GMT

A new text has been uploaded to the Early Church Texts website: The Letter of the Council of Chalcedon (451) to Leo. The Council communicates to Leo its deliberations about Christology, its decisions about Eutyches and also (controversially for Leo) its decision about the status of the See of Constantinople.

Links have also been added through the menu system to the works of Leo available in Latin in Migne (with links to the individual works at Google Books) and elsewhere, and to public domain translations of the works of Leo. Over the next few weeks links in a similar style will be added for all Greek and Latin writers of the first two centuries, and then, in due course, for the the first five centuries.

Appellatio Flaviani

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 21:25:07 GMT

A new text has been uploaded to the Early Church Texts website: Flavian's Appeal to Leo following the Robber Council of 449. This text (in Latin because the original has not survived) has been taken from T.A. Lacey’s book Appellatio Flaviani (SPCK, 1903). Pretty much the complete text of the book has also been uploaded to the subscription version of the website, giving background information about the Robber Council, an introduction to and commentary on (along with the texts and translations of) the "Appeals" of Flavian and Eusebius of Dorylaeum, and also a chapter on Chalcedon.

Gregory of Nazianzus - First Easter Oration

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 19:52:08 GMT

A new text has been uploaded to the Early Church Texts website: The First Easter Sermon of Gregory of Nazianzus, preached at Nazianzus in 362.

Celsus' Objections Against Christianity

Sun, 01 Apr 2012 13:49:54 GMT

A new text has been uploaded to the Early Church Texts website: Various extracts from Origen's Contra Celsum illustrating objections which were made against Christianity.

Other enhancements to the Early Church Texts website over the last fortnight have been:-

1. The menu system links (subscription version of site) to original language texts and translations of Origen's works (on external sites) have been updated and extended.

2. Links (subscription version of site) have been added to the menu system to complete original language texts and translations of Justin's works on external websites.

3. Links (subscription version of site) have been added to the menu system (under left hand vertical menu M/MF-MZ/Migne Patrologia) to resources on external sites giving details of the contents of each volume of the Migne Greek and Latin series and also links to complete scanned volumes (all 161 Greek and 221 Latin) at Google Books and archive.org.

4. A "Paganism and Christianity" section has been added to the "Themes" menu which gives links to relevant texts on the Early Church Texts website.

Origen - On Prayer

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 22:49:33 GMT

A new text has been added to the Early Church Texts website: the concluding sections of Origen's De Oratione (On Prayer).

Also additional links have been added through the site's menu system (subscription version only) to several publicly available complete original language texts and translations of the works of Origen.

Cassian's Institutes and other updates

Fri, 17 Feb 2012 19:28:44 GMT

A new text has been uploaded to the Early Church Texts website: Cassian's Institutes, Book 10, chapters 1 and 2 in which Cassian talks of the Spirit of "Accidie" (weariness or distress of heart).

A number of additional links have been added to the menu system entries (subscription version of site only) for John Cassian, including detailed links to translations of his (lengthy) works.

Additional links have also been added to the menu system entries (subscription version of site only) for:-
- information on Pseudo-Dionysius and Pseudo-Macarius who were important writers on spirituality;
- links to translations and original language works for Tatian and Theophilus.

The Condemnation of Eutyches at the Council of Constantinople (448)

Sun, 12 Feb 2012 22:48:33 GMT

A new text has been added to the website: Extracts from the proceedings of the Council of Constantinople (448) at which Eutyches was condemned for his views about the "one" nature of Christ. This is an interesting text relative to the Christological controversy leading up to the "Robber Synod" of 449 and Chalcedon in 451.

Tertullian - Ad Uxorem

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:09:51 GMT

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 GMT

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 GMT

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 GMT

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, 01 Nov 2011 22:27:44 GMT

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 14:44:06 GMT

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, 03 Oct 2011 19:12:51 GMT

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 14:09:59 GMT

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.