athletic metaphor in homiletics

The Words of the Fathers No. I (XIX) / 2025 [Homily by John Chrysostom] on Psalm XXXVI, 1: ‘Do not envy those who act deceitfully’ The Saint Ioan Gură de Aur

This homily is a homiletic exposition of Psalm 36:1, in which the author, drawing on biblical examples from Joseph, Moses, Daniel, Elijah, Elisha, Lazarus and Herod, argues that the prosperity of the wicked is fleeting, whilst the suffering of the righteous is rewarded with eternal bliss. The listener is urged not to envy the prosperity of sinners, but to follow the path of virtue with a view to the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Words of the Fathers No. I (XVII) / 2024 [A saying] by the same [John Chrysostom] on those who practise self-restraint through fasting and on the way of life of the most chosen prophets The Saint Ioan Gură de Aur

The Romanian translation of the homily De iis qui in jejunio continenter vivunt, attributed to Saint John Chrysostom (PG 64, col. 15–16), carried out by Dr Andrei Ion-Popescu, presents self-restraint and fasting as virtues exemplified by biblical figures such as Joseph, Moses, Elijah, Elisha, Daniel and the three young men, culminating in a Christological doxology on virginity and the presence of Christ in the Church.

The Words of the Fathers No. I (XV) / 2023 A homily by [Saint John Chrysostom] on the week halfway through the [days] of fasting [during Lent] The Saint Ioan Gură de Aur

This text presents the Romanian translation of Saint John Chrysostom’s homily In mediam hebdomadam jejuniorum (PG 59, col. 701–704), delivered in the middle of Lent, in which the author urges the faithful to persevere in fasting, citing biblical examples such as Adam, Elijah, Moses and Eve, and emphasising the connection between fasting, charity and salvation.

The Words of the Fathers No. II (IX) / 2019 A eulogy to Saint Stephen the First Martyr The Saint Proclu

This homily, translated from Greek by Petru Molodeț and revised by Maria Luiza Oancea and Octavian Gordon, celebrates the feast of Saint Stephen, the first martyr, by drawing a parallel between the physical Sun and Christ, the Sun of Righteousness, and through the praise of Stephen as an athlete of grace and power, culminating in his heavenly vision in the Acts of the Apostles.

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