TwoHomiliesConcerningSaintStephen,Protomartyr

by
GregoryofNyssa

Introduction

Duringthefourthcentury,theperiodwhenGregoryofNyssahadflourished,thereexistedaliturgicalvoidbetweenthe
feastsofPentecostandChristmas.Thislengthyintervalextendingfromspringuntilthebeginningofwinterservedtoforma
substantialpartoftheyear(1).Withthisinmind,wecanbetterappreciatethesignificanceofGregory'sliturgicalhomilies,
especiallytherelationshipbetweenhisHomilyontheBirthofChrist(2)andhistwoorationsonSt.Stephenwhosefeastday
followsimmediately.JeanDanielouhasspeculatedthattheChristmashomilywasdeliveredonapproximately25December
386,thesameyearashistwohomiliesonSt.Stephen(3).GregoryofNyssabeginshisfirsthomilyontheprotomartyrorthe
firstpersonwhowasrecordedtohaveshedhisbloodforthenewfaithbypositinghimasanimitator(mimetes,J.75.6)of
JesusChristwhosebirthdayisimmediatelyprecededbyoneday.Gregoryaskshowthesetwofeastsarerelatedandaddsthe
wellknownPlatonicimageofacaveasrepresentativeofthislifewhichistakenfromtheRepublic(4):"One[Christ]
acceptedthecaveofthislifeforus,andtheother[Stephen]leftitforhim"(J.75.78).ThusatonceStephen,whois
veneratedasamartyr,setsthetoneforallfutureChristiantestimonybyfreelyofferinghislife.BecauseStephenisthefirst
Christianmartyr,Gregoryperceiveshimashavingcausedgreataweandwonderamongtheangelsortranscendentpowers
whomarvelledatthecontestofafrailhumanbeing.ThebishopofNyssaemploysafavoriteimagehere,thatofanathlete,
whocontendsnotsomuchagainsthumanpowerbutagainstdemonicforces.Thisbecomesevidentlaterinthefirstsermon
asthefollowingwordsreveal:

ThefatherofliesassumedahumanformandroseagainsttruthwhichStephenhadspoken.However,thetruthbroughtforth
trophiesagainstsuchlies,anditsexcellencewonderfullyputtoflighteveryassaultofdeceit.Theministeroftruthsought
thetruthabouttheenemywhoconcealedhissubstancerather,hemadethetruthappearassomethingwhichlacks
substance.(J.79.1480.2)

JeanBernardiobservesanaspectofGregory'soriginalitywithregardtoStephen'sstrugglenotagainsthumanbeingsbut
againstpowersofdarkness(5).AfewlineslaterweseethetrueidentitybetweenSatan,Stephen'strueadversary:
Stephendirectedhisenergyagainsthisaccusers[plural]andpassedjudgmentuponhim[singular,i.e.,Satan]whoboth
broughtfalseaccusationsagainsthimwhilebeingmarkedbyrageandslander.(J.80.1014)

ThisstruggleagainstdemonicpowersresemblesthoseconflictsenduredbyGregory'sotherhero,GregoryThaumaturgosor
theWonderworker.Inbothinstances,thebishopofNyssaseemsmoreconcernedwithprovidingamodelforpastorsas
opposedtothecommonfaithful:
Afterthatvisionhadfilledhimwithconfidenceandcouragemuchlikeanathletewhocompetesinacontestafterhaving
acquiredstaminafromatrainer,he[GregoryThaumaturgos]stripshimselfforthestadiumandpreparesforthestruggle.
(J.19.2020.2)

Shortlyafterthiscomparison,Gregoryrevertstotheimageofanathletewho,althoughovercomebyadversaries,has
neverthelessachievedvictory.ItispreciselythisvictorythatenablestheChristianmissionbegantospreadthroughoutthe
worldthroughtheApostles,thereby"makingallplacesaccessibletothefaithofChrist"(J.81.1314).ThebishopofNyssa
employsaversefromthePsalm18.5todemonstratethismission:"Toeveryplaceontheearthgoestheirsound"(J.104.23
24).WefindaparalleltothissameverseinhisHomilyontheFortyMartyrs:
Considerthisholyfieldandthesheafofmartyrs.IfyouwishtoknowwhatImean,youdonothavetolookfar.Whatisthis
placewhichcomposessuchathrong?Whatdoesthisyearlycommemorationsaytoyou?Whatdoouraccountsbestowupon
theirmemory?Theprophetsays,"Therearenospeechesnorwords"(Ps18.5).Isitonlytheirvoiceswhichloudlyannounce
ouradmiration?Ifyouexaminetheplace,he[theprophet]saysthatitistheamphitheaterofthemartyrs,andifyouconsider
theday,itloudlyheraldstheircrown.Ihearthedayproclaimingthemartyrsandtheheavenlylightsglorifyinganothersuch
personheavenhonorsonemartyrwhileearthheraldsyetanother.(J.141.317)

AbitlaterinhishomilyontheprotomartyrGregoryproceedstocompareStephentohisdivineMaster,JesusChrist,who
hadsufferedthesametypeofdenunciation,namely,ofabrogatingtheLawofMoses(cf.J.83.4).AtthispointStephenmost
closelyresembleshisMasterasbothpriestandvictim:
However,heresembledapriestaccordingtothespirituallaw,wasapuresacrifice,submissive,andofferedhisownbody
andinsteadofanofferingofsprinkledblood.HesawGodinthecelestialsanctuary,madepetitiononbehalfofthosewho
mistreatedhim,exchangedtheirbloodthirstinessforagooddeedandcriedoutintheirears,"Lord,donotholdthissin
againstthem."(J.84.1016)

GregoryembellishesthedeathofStephenbysayingthat"hefellintoasweet,blessedsleepasthoughheweresurrounded
bytenderflowerorbygentledew"(J.84.1820).InresponsetotheJews'denunciation,thebishopofNyssacloselyfollows
theaccountinActswhereStephenrefuteshisadversaries(J.86.488.22).Towardstheendofhisdiscourse,Stephenassumes
thedemeanorofanangelwhichwasvisibleeventohisenemies.AtthispointGregoryonceagainhasrecoursetotheimage
ofanathletewhichisfulfilledatthepointofStephen'sdeath:

Thusbeingoutsidehumannature,hesharedtheangelicnaturewhichseemedlikeamiracletothesemurderers.Hisfacewas
changedtoassumethatoftheangelsandseeinginvisiblereality,heproclaimedthegracehehadbeheld.(J.87.1013)

AtthepointofdeathGregoryhasthemurderersprovideStephenwitha"crownmuchlikeavictor'scrown"(J.88.89).Here,
asatthebeginningofthefirstsermon(J.76.46),GregorymakesaplayonwordsbecauseinGreek,Stephenmeanscrown,
stepahnos.Insteadofbearinghatredtowardshismurderers,themartyrexpressesasweetnessandcomplianceinimitationof
Christ.ItshouldberememberedthatdeathforChristianmartyrsisakeytoeternallife,asPaulZemphasremarkedwith
regard(6)tothefollowingsentence:"Atonceheforsookthislifeandrightlyjudgeditbettertoexchangeamorehonorable
lifeforthepresentone."(J.77.35).ComparethiswithapassagefromGregory'sCommentaryontheSongofSongs:
Ourlifeismortal,indeed,havingbeendeprivedofimmortality.Butthepersonknowingthatheisinthemidstoftwolives,
crossesoverfrommortalitytoimmortality.Byeliminatingtheformer,thebadone,hegivesvictorytothelatter.(J.351)

AfterdescribingStephen'sdeathinsomedetail,Gregorygetstothepointhewishestoconveytohislisteners,namely,that
themartyrtrains"usinpietythatwemightescapethegripsofspiritualadversaries(pneumatomachoi),"J.89.57.Duringthe

fourthcenturywhenthebishopofNyssaflourished,oneofthechiefantagonistsconfrontingorthodoxChristianitycame
fromthesocalledPneumatomachoi,literally,"fightersagainstthe[Holy]Spirit."Thisheresydeniedthedivinityofthe
HolySpiritandultimately,theTrinity.St.Athanasioshadearlierstruggledwiththisheresyindefendingthehomoousionof
theSpirit(7).InGregory'sfirsthomilywehaveasummaryofthishereticalteachingasfollows:
Theyclaimedthathepervertedtheteachingsofpietywhen,iftheSpiritshouldbeincludedalongwiththeFatherandSon,
whydidnotStephenseeinhisvisiontheSpiritwiththeSon?...Doyouseek,ohpneumatichos,whentheFather'sglory
appearsandtheSonstandsathisright,thelocationoftheSpirit?(J.89.1012&1617)

AsJ.N.D.Kellypointsout,thetermPneumatomachoicameintouseaftertheyear380andrepresentsanhereticalsect
reminiscentofAthanasios'opponentsatAlexandria.Tocountertheirmistakenviews,GregorystatesthattheHolySpiritis
notanobjectivelyseenrealitylikeStephen'svisionofthegloriousChrist,butispresentasadivinepersonresidingwithin
us.HequotesActs7.55inJ.90.67:"StephenwasfilledwiththeHolySpiritandsawthegloryofGodandhisOnly
BegottenSon."AlthoughGregorydoesnotdiscussthehereticalimplicationsofthisverse,itisclearlyrelatedtothe
Pneumatomachoi.ThelattersawtheSonasinferiortotheFather(beingsituated"attherighthandofGod,"Acts7.57,
J.87.1819).Gregory'sresponsewasaquotefromPsalm35.10,"Inyourlightweshallseelight."Notethephrase"inyour
light."MarietteCanevetsaysthat"SiEtienneest`en'l'Esprit,ilnelevoitpas"(8).However,itisthisSpiritwhich"enables
ustoperceivethegloryofboththeFatherandSon"(J.90.1314).AfewlineslaterGregoryagainmentionsthe
PenumatomachoiwhenhebringsuptheproblemofseeingGod,afeatimpossibleandtowhichboththeOldandNew
Testamentsbearwitness.Withaneyetowardsrefutinghisoldenemies,thePenumatamachoi,Gregorysaysthat"Stephen
beholdsGodnotinhumannatureandpowerbutisunitedbygracetotheHolySpiritwhoelevateshiminorderto
comprehendGod"(J.91.36).
NotonlyisthebishopofNyssaconfrontedwiththosepersonswhodenytheHolySpirit'sdivinity,hemustalsodealwith
otherswho"condemntheOnlyBegotten[Son],forthey
considertheOnepresentintheFather'sglorytobeinferiortohisauthority"(J.91.1113).Gregorygivesthemthenameof
Christomachoi,"fightersagainstChrist,"anothertermfortheEunomianswhoperceivedtheSonasbeinginferiortothe
Fatherandthereforeultimatelylackingdivinity.GregoryproceedstoquoteanumberofOldandNewTestamentpassages
(J.912)concludingwiththeobservationthat"theteaching[re.Christ'sdivinity]istheSpiritoftruthwhichwaspresentin
divinelyinspiredpersons"(J.92.89).Hethengivesaphysicalexample,namely,thehumanbody,especiallywithreference
tohipswhichenableustositandrise(J.92):"Thusthisimageisvalidifitappearstobeasatisfactoryarchetype"(J.93.16
94.1).GregoryconcludeshisfirsthomilyratherabruptlyatthispointbysayingthatwesharetheHolySpiritinthesame
wayasStephenwhoseparticipationservestocounterthosewhodenythisthirdperson'sdivinity.
AlthoughitisimpossibleforustoseeGod,theHolySpiritisinstrumentalinallowingustoparticipateinhisdivinenature:
ForStephenbeholdsGodnotinhumannatureandpowerbutisunitedbygracetotheHolySpiritwhoelevateshiminorder
tocomprehendGod(J.91.34)

Suchaprocessofelevationis,asWaltherVolkerhasobserved(9),isreminiscentofthewordprokope,"advancement"
especiallyasitappliestogreatercomprehensionofthespirituallife.AlthoughthetwohomiliesonSt.Stephendonot
expresslydealwiththisprokope,itisneverthelessanessentialcomponentinGregory'smorematureworksasthefollowing
passagefromhisCommentaryontheSongofSongsdemonstrates:
WhentheWordraiseshisbridetosuchapointthroughherascents,heleadsherevenfurther,sayingthathergarmentshave
thescentoffrankincense.(J.280)

Attimesthisprocessofcontinualadvancementorgrowthassumesexceptionalintensityormomentsofecstasywhenone's
relationshipwithGodbecomesveryclear.ForGregory,Moses,alongwithDavidandSt.Paul,aresomeoftheprincipal
figuresoftheseintensemomentsofunion,andthefirsthomilyisofnoexception.Wecompareanexcerptwithonefrom
Gregory'sCommentaryontheSongofSongs:
WhatespeciallyincitedthisgroupandfomentedtheirillnesswasthatMosestowhomtheywereespeciallydevotedwasa
mentorfortheirteaching...He[Stephen]exitedhumannatureandbeforeheleftthebody,withpureeyesgazedupon
heaven'sgatesandthetemple'sinterior,therevelationofdivinegloryandtheeffulgenceofhisglory.FirstHomilyonSt.
Stephen,J.867
Astheprophetsays[Ps35.9],thosewhodrinkfromtherichnessofGod'shouseandthestreamofhisdelightbecome
inebriated.Similarly,thegreatDavidbecameinebriatedbecausehewentoutofhimselfandintoecstasy:hesawthe
invisiblebeautyandexclaimedinthatinspiredvoiceofhis,"Everymanisaliar"[Ps115.2].CommentaryontheSongof
Songs,J.309

ThesecondhomilyisslightlyoverhalfaslongasthefirstandfocusesmoreupontheroleoftheChurchandApostles.In
contrasttotheChristomachoiorEunomianswhodeniedChrist'sdivinity,atthebeginningofhissecondsermonGregory
employsthewordChristophoroi,bearersofChrist(J.97.8).Stephen(Stephanos),thefirstChristianmartyristhe"firstfruits
ofwhathasbeencultivatedintheformofacrown(stephanos),athemereminiscentofGregory'sTreatiseonFirst
Corinthians15.28(10).Theterm"firstfruits"(aparche)represents,asJeanDanielouhaspointedout(11),thatunityofthe
kosmosnoeteswheretheangelsdwell.HereisapassagefromTreatiseonFirstCorinthianswhichshowstherelationship
betweenChristasaparcheandourhumannature:
Whenweareremovedfromevilinimitationofthefirstfruits[Christ],ourentirenatureismixedwiththissamefruit.Our
bodyhasbeenformedwiththegoodaspredominantourbody'sentirenatureisunitedtothedivine,purenature.Thisis
whatwemeanbytheSon'ssubjection:when,inhisbody,Christrightlyhasthesubjectionbroughttohim,heeffectsinus
thegraceofsubjection.(M.1316BC)(12)

Althoughthethemeofstrugglesagainst"thecouncilofimpiety"(J.98)areresumed,Gregorydoesnotcontinuethetopicof
anathlete.WealsoseethatStephenisassumedintotheangelicchorusandhisname,Stephanos,orcrown,isrelatedtohis
heavenlyinheritance:
Theangelshavereceivedamemberoftheirchorus,rather,theytookhimupwithpraisewhiletheJewsbelowstonedhim.
However,Stephenreceivedaheavenlyinheritanceafterundergoingsuchnoblestruggles.ToStephenallthesestonesare
suddenlywoventogetherasaheraldtothedivineGospelandwithhimarethemartyrswhoagainshinewiththebeautyof
salvation.(J.100.915)

AtthisjunctureGregorymentionsthethreeApostles,Peter,JamesandJohnwhoarealso"crownsoftheChurch'sglory"
(J.100.1819)withwhomStephenenjoysaspecialplaceofhonor.Christisthencomparedtoasunwhonotonly"hideslike
starsthoseholypersonswhowereprecursors,butitmakesthemshinemorebrightly"(J.101.1718).JohntheBaptistis
singledoutasbeingaspecialluminarywhoappearedaftertheApostles:
TheApostlesoftheSaviorwereneitherlamps,lightsnorstarsbutmessengersoflightnotilluminingoneregionorareabut
brightenedeveryplaceunderheaven.ThemostimportantleaderswerePeter,JamesandJohnwhoweredesignatedas
witnessesbyChrist.(J.102.1015)

GregoryprecedesatsomelengthtodescribethewitnessofeachofthesethreeApostlesafterwhichhesaysthat"Ifanyone
attainsthetruthwhichisinaccordwiththeirteachings,thispersonservestocompletetheformofonebody"(104.1013).
ThusGregorypassesthroughhissecondhomilywithlittleornomentionofStephen.Instead,heusestheoccasionofhis
feasttoexpounduponthemeritsofPeter,JamesandJohnwhomheconsidersnotonlyasApostlesbutasmartyrs.The
Churchisatower("Thoseengagedinconstructinganearthlytowermustspeakthesamelanguagewhenbuildingthe
church'sspiritualdwelling."J.77.1918.2)composedoflivingstoneswhichproducestheunityoffaith.Laterinthesecond
homilyGregorytakesupthissamethemeasfollows:
Ifanyoneattainsthetruthwhichisinaccordwiththeir[Apostles]teachings,thispersonservestocompletetheformofone
body...WhodoesnotgladlyexultandisfilledwiththeHolySpiritoncehehasbeendeemedworthyofsharingtheapostolic
chorus,ofguidingtheentireworldintotheknowledgeoftruth,offillingthetruereligion'snetwiththeworld?(J.104.1013
&1723)

ThissolidaritywithmembersoftheChurchandfoundedupontheApostlesisintendedtocounterthehereticaltendenciesof
boththePneumatomachoiandChristomachoi.Gregoryexpressesthe"formofonebody"byusingtheanalogyofagarment
asinhisCommentaryonEcclesiastes:
PaulknowstheopportunetimeforcuttingoffthesoiledpartoftheChurch'sgarmentandforsewingitbackonagain,that
is,whenwewashitfromdefilementthroughourrepentance.Realizefromwhatwearecutoffandarealwayssewnon.
Havingbeenseveredfromheresy,wearesewnonthetruereligionfortherobeoftheChurch,asweobserve,isstillwhole,
evenwhenithasbrokenoffanyfellowshipwithheretics.(J.4089)

TowardstheendofhissecondhomilyGregorysaysthatwecannotsimplyadmiretheirsplendidwitnesstothefaithbut
"fellowshipwiththeirmemoryimpliesagreementwiththeirmind"(J.105.2223).ToassistusthebishopofNyssasets
beforehislistenerstheexampleoftheChurch'sfirstwitness,Stephen,whosedeathsetanexampleforlatergenerationsof
martyrs.
*****

ThecriticaltextofthetwohomiliesonSt.StephenwaspreparedbyOttoLendleand
isfoundinGregoriiNysseniOpera,Sermones,ParsII(E.J.Brill,Leiden,1990),pp.75105.Referencestothiscriticaltext
aredesignatedwithinthetranslationbytheletter"J"followedbytheappropriatepagenumber(13).Thesameapplieswith
regardtoreferencesintheIntroductionwhichnotonlyincludethetwohomiliesonSt.StephenbutotherworksofGregory
ofNyssa.Furthermore,referenceismadetothetextofJ.P.Migne,volumn46(Paris,1858),columns701736.References
tothistextaredesignatedwithinthetranslationbytheletter"M"followedbytheappropriatecolumnnumber.

TheFirstSermon

[M.701&J.75]Howlovelyistheinspirationexhibitedbythosewhoaregood,andhowsweetisthejoywhichthey
disclose!See,weacquireafeastfromafeastandgracefromgrace.YesterdaytheLordoftheuniversewelcomedus
whereastodayitisthe[M.704]imitator[Stephen]oftheLord.Howaretheyrelatedtoeachother?Oneassumedhuman
natureonourbehalfwhiletheothersheditforhisLord.Oneacceptedthecaveofthislifeforus,andtheotherleftitfor
him.Onewaswrappedinswaddlingclothesforus,andtheotherwasstonedforhim.Onedestroyeddeath,andtheother
scornedit.
Brethren,letushastentothestadium[J.76]wherethegreatathletecontendsagainstthewickedadversaryofhumanlifeby
strippinghimselfinthearenabyhisconfession[offaith][cf.1Cor4.9].Indeed,asPaulhassaid[Heb12.4],Stephen
[Stephanos]hasbecomeaspectacletotheworld,angelsandtomen.Hewasthefirsttohavereceivedthecrown[stephanos]
ofmartyrdom,thefirsttohavepavedthewayforthechorusofmartyrsandthefirsttohaveresistedsintothepointof
sheddingblood.Itseemstomethattheentirehostoftranscendentpowers,angels,andmyriadsbothassistandaccompany
them[i.e.,themartyrs].Ifwehearanythinghonorableintheheavensfromamongtheprincipalities,powers,thrones,ruling
forcesandtheentireheavenlyassembly,theirwordsprovideanathleticspectaclebycontendingwithanopponent[cf.Col
1.16&Eph1.21].
Lethumanliferesembleastadiumforthecontestantswhereonepersoncontendsagainstanother.Thatantagonistwhich
showedhimselfhostiletohumanlifefromthefallofourfirstparentsuntilthetimeofStephenstrovetobevictoriousover
men,yetthegreatathleteoffaithconsideredhisassaultsasnothing[cf.Wis2.24].Bothtookuparmsagainsteachother:the
inventorofdeathconfrontedathreattodeath,whereasthediscipleoflifeconfessedhisfaith.Forwhocouldnothelpbut
admirethisnewtypeof[J.77]strugglewhentruthjudgedbetweenlifeanddeathchronicledthetruth?Forwhiletheherald
ofalifehidden[inGod]remainedunknown,heneverthelessdivulgedittomen.Atonceheforsookthislifeandrightly
judgeditbettertoexchangeamorehonorablelifeforthepresentone.
Itwouldbebeneficialtoaccuratelyrecordhiscontestinordertodisclosetheorderofourmethodbyaseriesofmiracles.
Recentlyapowerfulwindfromheavenscatteredeveryairy,deceptivepowerofthedemonsandfilledtheApostles'house.
TonguesoffireresidedineachmancorrespondingwiththenumberofthosewhoreceivedthegraceoftheSpirit.Allwere
overcomebyshockandconfusionwiththewidelydiverselanguagesimmediatelywhichthedisciplesspokeaccordingtothe
soundandwonderoftonguesandtotheastonishmentofthosefromeverynationwhoweredwellinginJerusalem[cf.Acts
2.25].Thiswasnotaresultoftrainingandstudybutwasagiftintheformofspeakingwhichsuddenlycamefromthe
Spirit's[J.705]inspiration.Thoseengagedinconstructinganearthlytowermustspeakthe[J.78]samelanguagewhen
buildingthechurch'sspiritualdwelling.Andso,theHolySpirit'swonderfuldispensationintroducedgraceinordertodiffuse
it,therebyprovidingacommonbenefitforeveryonethroughthemediumofthehumanvoice.Inthiswaythepreachingof
pietymightnotbelimitedtoonetongueandremainunprofitableforthosepersonswhospokevarioustongues.
EvenatthisearlypointthePhariseesdidnotbelievewiththeirownearsandconcoctedtotripuppersonsastonishedby
thesemiraculouseventsasthoughnewwinehadmadethem[theApostles]insane[cf.Acts2.13].ThenPeter'ssolitary
defensecapturedthreethousandsoulsforChrist[cf.Acts2.41],afterwhichthechurchgrewinthenumberofthosewhohad
beendelivered.Thosewhoweresavedopenedthetemple'sBeautifulGateforthemanbornlame[cf.Acts3.2ff]becausehis
miraculoushealingbothincreasedandledtothefaithpersonslameinsoul.Asaresult,manyflockedwhenthefaithwas
preachedandsoughthelpfromthediverseprofusionofgraceatwhichpointStephen,whowaswealthyinwisdomand
gracebytheSpirit,wassummonedtoassisttheApostles[cf.Acts6.5].Letnoonethinkthatthenameofminister[diakonia]
madehiminferiortothedignityoftheApostles.SincePaulrealizedthathewasaministerofthemysteriesofChrist[cf.
1Cor4.1]andtheLordoftheuniversebroughtsalvationbyassuminghuman[J.79],hewasnotashamedtobecalleda
minister.AstheApostlesays,hewasintheirmidstasonewhoserves[cf.Lk22.27]andasonewhoprovidesavarietyof
ministries[cf.1Cor12.56].
Justasfireconsumesusefulmaterialandbrightflamesriseonhigh,sodidtheHolySpiritmaketheraysofgraceshine
brighterthroughStephen'snobility.Similarly,allturnedtohimbecausehewasgiftedwithknowledgeandtraining.Those
fewpersonswhogatheredtogetherseemedtobeadensecrowdmuchlikeaphalanxwhichattemptedtoassailStephenwho
wasequallyserenewhetherinthecompanyofmanyorfewpersons.ThencertainpersonsundertheguiseofAlexandrians,
Libertinians,Cyreniansandmenfromeveryplaceengagedtheathleteinadebateregardingthetruth.Thefatheroflies
assumedahumanformandroseagainsttruthwhichStephenhadspoken[cf.Jn8.44].However,thetruthbroughtforth
trophiesagainstsuchlies,anditsexcellencewonderfullyputtoflighteveryassaultofdeception.Theministerof[J.80]truth

soughtthetruth[M.708]abouttheenemywhoconcealedhissubstancerather,hemadethetruthappearassomethingwhich
lackssubstance.
Howdoesthisruseaffectthepreacher?Ibelievethatitcomesfromthedevil.Ifanyofyoushareshisstrength,thetruth
destroysitinStephen.Butifthattruthisloftierthanyourmachinations,whyareyoudeceitfullyplanningevilagainstthe
vesseloftruthinordertodestroywhatremainsofit?Dogsdothiswhentheyopentheirmouthsforstonescasttothem,yet
theycannottouchthepersonwhomthrewthem.Sincetruefactsrepulsedsuchalieandcouldnolongerfindanother
championofdeception,allwholookedsquarelyatthemanifesttruthrememberedhisownstruggle.Stephendirectedhis
energyagainsthisaccuserswhopassedjudgmentuponhim,fortheybroughtfalseaccusationsagainsthimwhilebeing
markedbyrageandslander.TheJewsbroughtvariousaccusersagainstStephenincludingjudgeswhowereeitherelectedor
whoweresubservienttodeathanddidnotknowtheimpactofaruinousvotelevelledagainstStephen.Forjustas
experiencedathletesbringdowntheirmoreformidableopponentsthroughvigoroustrainingand[J.81]therebymakethem
fall,sodidthegreatStephenwholayprostrateuponthegroundovercomehisadversarywithdifficultly.
FromthispointbegantheApostles'journeythroughouttheentireworldandtheirpreaching.Ifitwerenotfor[Stephen's]
murderandtheJews'rageagainsttheApostles,perhapsthegraceoftheGospelwouldhavebeenconfinedtotheinhabitants
ofJerusalem.HavingbeendrivenoutbytheJewstoanothernation,theteachingofthe[Christian]mysteriesexpelledthe
devilfromtheworld.ThusSamariareceivedthepreaching[cf.Acts8.14]salvationreachedtheeunuchthroughPhilip
[Acts8.26ff]Paulwasagreatvesselofelectionarmedagainstthedevil'swrathandhisthreatsagainstwhosearrowshe
raisedashield[Acts9.15],therebyabolishinghimfromtheentireearthandmakingallplacesaccessibletothefaithof
Christ.Asaresult,Egyptians,Syrians,Parthians,Mesopotamians,Galatians,Illurians,Macedoniansaswellasnationsfrom
everywherehastenedtohearthepreaching.DoyouseeStephen'sathleticprowessandhowtheadversarywasbroughtdown
toruinalthoughheappearedmoreexcellentthanhisadversarybymakingfalseaccusations?
Butletusreturnagaintothestadium.Howdothecalumniators[J.82]enflamethepeople?Theysay,"Hedoesnotceaseto
speakwordsagainstthisholyplaceandtheLaw.Forwehaveheard[M.709]himsaythatthisJesusofNazarethwilldestroy
thisplaceandwillchangethecustomswhichMoseshandeddowntous"[Acts6.1314].Suchistheallegationpresentedby
thedevil'sspeech,butwhopaysattentiontosuchrubbish?Againstwhomdotheyragesovehementlyandwhatevilcan
theydetectinhiswords?Theyevenbroughtforthanotherindictmentagainst[Stephen]claimingthatheboastedthatthis
placewouldbedestroyedandthattheinstitutesofMoseswouldbechanged.Whatoutragedoethesewordscontainwhether
theyhappentobetrueorfalse?Iffalse,thereisnocauseforalarmiftrue,whatunjustgroundistherefordenunciation?For
whathadtranspiredwillindeedhappenagainwhetherornotweremainsilent.Canthemurderofhimwhowasdenounced
earlierrelievepersonswhoaregrieving?Forexample,JesustheNazarenewascondemnedbythesamevoteofreprisal
levelledagainstStephen.Ifhewhoisunjustventshiswrath,givesplacetoinjusticeandalterscustoms,Stephenisnot
responsiblefortheseactsbutitisJesus,astheaccusersays,andthecourtiscompelledtopassjudgementagainsthimwho
isaccused.Oh,whatanunfairverdictforthosewhoarelistening!SinceJesus,saysthejudge,changesthelaws,Stephen
shouldthen[J.83]bestoned.HowdidJesusabrogatetheLawwhenheaffirmeditsantiquitybysaying,"Ididnotcometo
abolishtheLawbuttofulfillit"[Mt5.17]?WhostrengthenedhisdisciplesaccordingtotheLaw?Heforbadethemto
becomeangryandtocommitmurder[cf.Mt5.2122],rejectedadulteryoutofdesire[cf.Mt5.39],orderedthatgriefnotbe
repaidsinceunjusthandscannotlayholdofyou[cf.Mt6.19ff]andwipedoutpassion,aresultofgreed,andtaughtmastery
overit.Whyweretheseneithermentionednorexaminedwhenjudgementwaspassed?Idonotwishthecrowdofthose
bloodstainedjudgestobepresentanddonotwanttoknowaboutplacesassociatedwithsuchmalevolentpersons,the
celebratedtemple'slocation,thehugeamountofstones,thegoldleftoverwhichequalledthesmallamountleftinthe
temple,thesacrificesaccordingtotheLawsuchastheram,calf,lamb,heifer,dove,turtledoveandhegoatforavertingevil
[cf.Lev16.20ff].ThereforeiftheycondemnStephentodeathinordertodeflecttheirsadness,theyrevealtheirfruits
through[J.84]thatterriblemurder.Ifnothingisleft,theyclaimthatthevotecounts,notthemurder.
Butletusseeinthesucceedingstruggleshowhewhowascoveredbystonesasiftheyweresnowhadwardedoffhis
murderersandhowhereturnedavarietyofthunderboltsagainstthosewhocaststones.TheJewsknewtheChristians'
weaponswhichthegreatStephenusedtowardofftheirattacksandwhomadeitthelawoflife.Theywereallfierce,
standinginacircle,lookedathimwithahystericalgazeandbrandished[M.712]aweaponagainstStephenintheirhands.
However,heresembledapriestaccordingtothespirituallaw,wasapuresacrifice,submissive,andofferedhisownbody
insteadofanofferingofsprinkledblood.HesawGodinthecelestialsanctuary,madepetitiononbehalfofthosewho
mistreatedhim,exchangedtheirbloodthirstinessforagooddeedandcriedoutintheirears,"Lord,donotholdthissin
againstthem"[Acts7.60].Bythisprayerheexpiatedtheirsinwhichthemurdererscommittedbytheirtransgressionand
whowereexasperatedathisprayer.However,thisdidnotpreventthemfromcastingstonesuntilthegreatStephenfellinto
asweet,blessedsleepasthoughheweresurroundedbytenderflowersorbygentledew.
Theathleteshaveachievedvictorybeforeweseethosecrownedwhohadengagedinfiercestrugglessincebeforeseeingthe
contest,wehaveattained[J.85]thegoaloftheirstruggles.Ibelievethatwemustnotneglectthemwithoutmentioningthe

outstandingnatureoftheirwitness.Thisgatheringofmurdererswassofilledwithragethattheyresortedtobloodshedtheir
evilwassostrongthatitrestrictedtheirbreathingtheirglance,appearanceandpassionwasmanifestedbytheirteethas
divineScripturesaysconcerningenragedheartswhichgnashedtheirteethagainsthim[cf.Acts7.54].Beingintheirmidst,
hegirdedhimselfagainsttheirhostile,murderousintent,surmountedtheircontemptuousintentions,resistedtheirwrathwith
patienceandtheirthreatswithdisdain,thefearofdeathwithcontempt,hatredwithlove,illwillwithbenevolenceand
slanderwithtruth.
NotonlydidthetrueathleterevealonetypeofvictorybutcombattedbycountlessvirtueseveryformofevilwhichtheJews
devised,therebyresultinginvictory.Ihearaboutvariouscontestsofstrengthingymnasiumswhenathletesstripthemselves
nakedinthearenaandachievevictoryagainsttheircontenders.Suchmartyrsaresovereigninthestadium,resistingwith
theirownpowereveryadversaryandareasabeaconoftriumphforalltosee.ThefalsewisdomoftheLibertinians,
Cyreninasandsages[J.86]fromAlexandria[Acts6.9]contendagainsthimwhoistriumphantthroughtruewisdom:
courageovercomesfear,disdainconquersthreats,charitysubduessavageryandtruthisvictoriousoverfalsehood.They
soughttomurderhim,andtheirhandswerealreadyarmedwithstonestheirglanceandbreathingthroughtheirteeth
[M.713]heldtightlytogetherrevealedtheirbrutality.Nevertheless,hesawthemasbrothersandgreetedthemasfathers
saying,"Men,brothersandfathers,listen[Acts7.2]!"
Theypersuasivelydevisedallsortsofcalumnybyconveningacouncilofmurderersagainstthetruth.[Stephen]neither
reprovedthemoutoffear,wasunconcernedwithimpendingdangersnordidheconsiderdeathrather,havinghissoulraised
onhighandappearingasthoughherweresenselesstoeveryonegazinguponhim,hetaughtthemasthoughtheywere
foolishchildrenanddemonstratedtheerroroftheirdoctrineswithregardtofaith.Intheirpresence[Stephen]briefly
recountedthestoryofAbrahamaswellasthesaintswhofollowedhim[cf.Acts7.27].HealsoaddedMoses,hisbirth,
upbringing,education,initiationonthemountain,smitingtheEgyptians,servicetotheIsraelitesandprophesyconcerning
themysteryoftheLord[cf.Acts7.2022,30,34,3637].Whatespeciallyincitedthisgroupand[J.87]fomentedtheir
illnesswasthatMosestowhomtheywereespeciallydevotedwasamentorfortheirteaching.Theyroseupagainsthimin
ordertoquiethim,somethingwhichStephendesiredinordertoendhisbitterness.Heexitedhumannatureandbeforehe
leftthebody,withpureeyesgazeduponheaven'sgatesandthetemple'sinterior,therevelationofdivinegloryandthe
effulgenceofhisglory[cf.Acts7.5556].ThestampoftheFather'sglory[cf.Heb1.3]couldnotbedescribed,andthe
athletesawhisbrillianceamongmenwhichaccommodateditselftohumannature.Thusbeingoutsidehumannature,he
sharedtheangelicnaturewhichseemedlikeamiracletothesemurderers.Hisfacewaschangedtoassumethatoftheangels
andseeinginvisiblereality,heproclaimedthegracehehadbeheld[cf.Acts7.56].Buttheyblockedtheirearsanddidnot
wishtoseethiswiththeireyes,preferringtheirownselfrighteoussincetheywerenotcapableofhearingthisdivinereport.
However,hesharedthegracewiththosepresentalthoughhealonewasworthyofit:"IseetheheavensopenandtheSonof
ManstandingatGod'srighthand"[Acts7.57].Theyexclaimedwithagreatvoice,blockedtheirearsandunanimously
[J.88]rusheduponhim.HistoryrecountsasimilaruproarinordertoshowhowtheiractionscoincidewiththeSodomites,
forthejudge[God]hearstheirwickedcrywhenhesays,"ThecryoftheinhabitantsofSodomandGomorrahhavereached
me"[Gen18.2021].ThereforetheyshoutedoutinorderthatthecryagainstStephenmightbeheard.
Theathletefullyrealizedthebenefithiddenbeneaththemurderers'bitternessbecausethey[M.716]whostoodinacircle
readytostonehimprovidedhimwithacrownmuchlikeavictor'scrownplaitedatenemyhands.Therefore[Stephen]
wardedofftheirmurderousintentbyablessingandbeingfullyawareoftheirplantoslayhim,waspreparedtosufferdeath
attheirhands.Furthermore,hebelievedthathisenemieshadtheopportunityofconferringabenefituponhim.Forthis
reasonthepersonwhoknowsChristwishestobringhisenemiesintosubmission.[Stephen]knewthattheLawgiverwas
patient,recalledhiscommandtoloveone'senemies,todogoodtothosewhobearhatredandtoprayforone'senemies[cf.
Mt5.44].Buttheathlete'sgoaldoesnotconsiderhumangloryrather,heseekstoovercometheentireworldbythe
magnificenceofhistriumphandtooutstriphumanendurance,therebyrejectingeverytypeofpraise.
Although[Stephen]acquiresvictoryinaccordwitheveryhumanmannerofpraise[J.89],weshouldpayattentiontothe
narrativewhichpertainstothesalvationofsouls.Justastherearesomeathleteswhohaveceasedtheiractivityandtrain
youthsforathleticcompetitionsthroughskillfultechnicalmaneuverstovanquishtheiradversaries,soIthinkweshouldbe
trainedbythegreatStepheninpietythatwemightescapethegripsofspiritualadversaries[pneumatomachoi].Forthose
whoaremadwithragedetractfromtheSpirit'sgloryclaimingthatStephenisanadvocateoftheirerrorwhenhegazed
intentlyatheavenandsawGod'sgloryandJesusstandingathisrighthand[Acts7.55].Theyclaimedthathepervertedthe
teachingsofpietywhen,iftheSpiritshouldbeincludedalongwiththeFatherandSon,whydidnotStephenseeinhis
visiontheSpiritwiththeSon?ThereforehowdidStephencausesuchdistressbyutteringthesewordswithhishands
outstretched?Howdoeshisreasonabletacticscounteractsuchdistressingwordssincehecounteredtheincredulityofhis
adversariesatthatveryspot?Doyouseek,ohpneumatichos,whentheFather'sgloryappearsandtheSonstandsathisright,
thelocationoftheSpirit?IftheSpiritwerepresentwithinyou,youwouldnotfailtonoticewhatisproposed[oftheSpirit]
muchlikethosewithdefectivevisionwhoareignorantofgoldlyingattheirfeet.AtanyrateIhavenowgottenwindofthis
and[desire]thatyoudonotsubscribetotherumordevisedbytheJews.

HowdidStephenseetranscendentglory?Wholaidbare[J.90]heaven'sgatesforhim?Wasthistheworkofmen?Whichof
theangelsenabledinferior[human]naturesoartothatheight?Stephenwasnotalonewhenhewasgenerouslyfilledwith
power[M.717]comingfromtheangelswhichenabledhimtoseewhathesaw.Whatwasrecorded?"Stephenwasfilled
withtheHolySpiritandsawthegloryofGodandhisOnlyBegottenSon"[Acts7.55].AstheProphetsays,lightcannotbe
seenunlessoneisfilledwithlight:"Inyourlightweshallseelight"[Ps35.10](Ifobservationofthelightdoesnotsharethis
samelight,howcananyonedeprivedofthesun'sraysseeit?).SincetheFather'slightmakesthispossible,theOnly
Begotten[Son's]lightemanatesthroughtheHolySpiritwhichmakesitvisible.ThereforetheSpirit'sgloryenablesusto
perceivethegloryofboththeFatherandSon.ButcanwesaythattheGospelistruewhichsaysthat"Nomanhaseverseen
God"[Jn1.18]?HowdotheApostle'swordsagreewiththefollowing,"Nomanhasseennorcansee[God]"[1Tm6.16]?If
humannatureandpowercanperceivethegloryoftheFatherandSon,theirvisionmustindeedbemistaken.However,
historyistrue[J.91]andcannotlie.TheevildeedofthepneumatomachoiisindeedmadeclearbecauseScripturebears
witnesstosimilarsituations.ForStephenbeholdsGodnotinhumannatureandpowerbutisunitedbygracetotheHoly
SpiritwhoelevateshiminordertocomprehendGod.Therefore,onecannotsaythatJesusisLordapartfromtheSpirit,as
theApostlesays[cf.1Tm6.16,1Cor12.3].OnecannotcontemplatetheFather'sglorybecausewheretheSpiritistheSonis
seenandisgraspedtheFather'sglory.
Buthistorypresentsuswithanotherproblem,namely,theweaponofimpietycomingfromtheChristomachoiwhocondemn
theOnlyBegotten[Son],fortheyconsidertheOnepresentintheFather'sglorytobeinferiortohisauthority.Whatabout
Paul?HowshallIanswerthem?WhatdoestheprophetDavidwholivedearliersaywhenheexplainedthegloryoftheOnly
Begotten[Son]bytheteachingoftheSpirit?Davidsays,"TheLordsaidtomyLord,`Sitatmyrighthand'"[Ps109.1].The
ApostlesaysthattheLordisseatedattherighthandofGod'sthrone[Col3.1,Heb1.3].Ifthisrepresentseitheraplaceof
inferiorityoraseatofhonor,testimonyconcerning[J.92]itsmagnificenceisaddedinordertosignifytheloftinessofhonor
andthereceptionoftruepiety.FortheSpirit'sgraceteachesallthesethings.Stephen,beingfilledwiththeHolySpirit,saw
everythingandspokeaboutwhatheknew.WhileintheSpirit,Davidcalls"Lord"astheGospelsays[Mt22.43]whenPaul,
speaksofhim,hementionsmysteriesintheSpirit[1Cor14.2].Thereforeifthereisoneteacherwhoisincomplete
harmony,theteachingistheSpiritoftruthwhichwaspresentindivinelyinspiredpersons.Thenhowcananydissonancebe
presentinteachings?ButthereisanotherseatandpositionwhichIcaneasilypointoutandwillnowmentionit.Insteadof
showingconcernforthebody,thesewordsshouldrefertowhatisincorporeal.Withregardtoman,theseatsignifiesthat
partofthebody'shipswhichenablesitnottocontinuouslybearstrainandtherebybecomeweigheddownandcrooked.On
theotherhand,anuprightpositionuponone'skneessignifiesthatapersondoesnotrestuponhishipswhenseated.But
whenitcomestotranscendentnature,sittingandstandinghavenoplacewithsuchconceptssinceeachisseparateand
shouldbeunderstoodrespectively.Weneithersubscribetoabentpositionregardingincorporeal[J.93]naturenorasitting
downwithregardtowhatisformlessrather,wedevoutlyunderstandthateachrepresentsstabilityandbeingunmovedin
everygood.ForstandingandsittingapplytoGodanddonotpertaintoadifferenceofwordsconcerningconceptswhich
teachthatGodisfirmlystandingandsittingunmovedinthegood.TheprophetDavidandtheapostlePauldonot
comprehendthesittingoftheOnlyBegotten[Son]inthesamemannerbecausetheFatherisstandingandtheSonissitting.
Indeed,bymentioningonlythefactthattheSonissitting,ScripturetellsusaboutthestandingoftheSonandnolonger
suggeststhesittingoftheFather.ForjustasPaulandDavidbothconfessedtheFathersittingthroughtheSon'sstandingat
hisright,indeednothingistaughtbeforehandconcerningtheFatherwhichisalsotrueregardingStephenwheretheSonis
standingandrevealedintheFather'sglory.Thusthisimageisvalidifitappearstobeasatisfactory[J.94]archetype.
Goodnessispresentinwhatisgood,lightispresentinthelightitreflectsandprimevalbeautyispresentineverything
supportedbyanappropriateimage.ThusweshouldclearlyunderstandtheimageoftheSon'ssitting,theFather'ssittingand
thestandinginthestandingwhichdiffersfromthearchetype'sproperties.
Brothers,youshouldponderourwordsandthoughtsandholdthemasintroductoryremarkssinceStephen'svisionprovokes
reflection.WearenotonlyspectatorsofStephen'scontestbutsincewearefulloftheHolySpirit,wesharehisgraceand
eradicateadversariesforthegloryofourLordJesusChristtowhombegloryandpowerforeverandever.Amen.

TheSecondSermon

[M.721&J.97]Uponenteringtheworld,ChristbroughtsalvationandfoundedtheChurch.Thewitnesstothetruthshone
forthaswellasthosewitnessestosuchagreatprovidence.ThedisciplesfollowedtheirTeacherbyfollowinginhis
footsteps,forafterChristtherecamebearsofChrist[Christophoroi]aftertheSonofJustice[cf.Mal3.20],theyillumine
theworld.Stephenwasthefirsttoflourishonourbehalf,notfromthethornsoftheJews,buthewasthefirstfruitforthe
LordfromtheChurch'sfertility.TheJewsplacedacrownwovenfromthornsontheSavior'shead[Mt27.29]sincethe
Cultivatorofthevineconsideredtheirfruittobeevil.Withregardtothistheprophetsays,"ForthevineyardoftheLordof
hostsisthehouseofIsrael,andthemanofJudahishispleasantplanting.Ihavelookedforgrapesbutbehold,itproduced
thorns"[Is5.7].ButtheworksoftheevangelicaltruthareaforetasteofpietyandoffertotheLordtheholymanStephen
[Stephanos]asthefirstfruitsofwhathasbeencultivatedintheformofacrown[stephanos]fromtheharmonyofmanyand
variousvirtues.Firstthiswonderfulmanborewitnesstosuffering[M.724]andwaschosenasafaithfulmanby[J.98]the
ApostleshewasfilledwiththeHolySpiritbywhosepowerhebecamewise.Heshoweddiligenceforpreachingthedivine
word,andgreatwondersofdivinepowerconfirmedhisteachings.Scripturesays,"Stephen,beingfulloffaithandpower,
performedgreatsigns"[Acts6.8].Hedidnotconsidersufferingstobeanimpedimentanddidnothesitatetodemonstrate
zealforhistaskasaresult,hebecameagreatwonderandhadtheadvantageofassuminghardshipwithaspiritoflove.He
enduredsufferings,wasconcernedforsouls,nourishedthemwithbread,taughtwithwords,offeredbodilynourishmentand
setaspiritualfeastbecausehewasagoodmanandfulloftheHolySpirit.[Stephen]wassustainedbythegoodnessofhis
willtoservethepoorandcurbedenemiesbytheSpirit'spowerofthetruth.Every[thought]oughttoberejectedandevery
premeditationagainstthetruthoughttobedispersed.Asitiswritten,"hecastdownargumentsandeveryproudobstacleto
thepowerofGod"[2Cor10.5].HolyScripturetestifiestosuchpowerandmasteryofspeakingsothat"noonecanresistthe
wisdomandtheSpiritwithwhichhespoke"[Acts6.10].Howevertheheraldoftruthstirredupthecouncilofimpiety.We
shouldtakenoticeoftheprotomartyrinordertogivehimhisduewhich,becauseofthebody'sweakness,couldnotbe
completedyesterday.TodaywewishtomakememoryofhimalongwiththeholyApostles.Neithercanpraiseofthesaints
beboundbydaysortimebecause"thememoryofthejustmanremainsforever"[Ps111.6].Asaresult,theirsignificance
willremainunaltered.Therefore[praiseof]themartyrswillnotbewithouttheapostlesnorwilltheapostlesbewithoutthe
martyrs.Theapostlesareteachersofthemartyrs,whereasthemartyrs[J.99]areimagesoftheapostles.Indeedblessed
Stephenbearstheirimageandthestampofthecrossandwasfirsttoreceivethecrownofmartyrdomthroughdeath.
However,themartyr'senduranceisasignforteachersandhasindeedbecomeacrownontheirbehalf.Thecrownof
beautifulteachersisnothonorduetocelebritybutgrowthfortheChurchsothatasthedivineApostlesays,"Mydearly
beloved,myjoyandcrown,standfirm"[Phil4.1].Butletusreturntothetaskathand.
ThebearerofChrist[Christophoros]hasenteredtheassemblyofthoseslainforChristthesheephasenteredthepack
[M.725]ofwolvesbutnoteverysheepfellpreyandwashandedovertothewolves.Fortheyrippedapartandtoreasunder
theflockbybitingitwithaccusationsrather,theywerecutintopiecesbyreproaches,threatsanddenunciationsjustlike
them.Letusnotpassoverthesewordswithoutnotice.Ihavespokenofthisassemblyofevildoerswhichwithbold
effronterycomprisesthispackofwolvesandtowhichappliesthereprimand,"Youstiffneckedpeople,uncircumcisedin
heartandhears,youalwaysresisttheHolySpiritasyourfathersandthoseafteryou"[Acts7.51].Thushewhoappearedon
earthgazesheavenwardandbeingclothedwithhumannature,hasbeentransformedintotheappearanceandformofan
angel(thereisnothingunseemlyhereindeed,intheprotomartyritisbecoming[J.100]thatthemartyrs'dignitybecome

apparentthatwemayknowtheeffectsofsuchanewgrace).Themartyr'syearningisnotonlypleasingtotheangelic
dignitybutopensheaven'sgatesnolongeraresoulshandedovertodeath,buttheycommendtheirspiritsintoChrist's
hands.ForthemanwhoisLordcriesoutonthecrosstohisFather,"Father,intoyourhandsIcommendmyspirit"[Lk
23.46].Stephen,theservantofChrist,extendshishandstotheLordsaying,"Jesus,receivemyspirit"[Acts7.59].Having
saidthesewords,hehandsoverhissoul.Theangelshavereceivedamemberoftheirchorusrather,theytookhimupwith
praisewhiletheJewsbelowstonedhim.However,Stephenreceivedaheavenlyinheritanceafterundergoingsuchnoble
struggles.ToStephenallthesestonesaresuddenlywoventogetherasaheraldtothedivineGospelandwithhimarethe
martyrswhoagainshinewiththebeautyofsalvation.Wehaveearliermentionedthebrillianceofpietywhichshinesso
brightly,namely,Peter,James,JohnandthoseleadersoftheapostolicunanimityandcrownsoftheChurch'sglory.Farbeit
formetoobstruct[themeaningof]Stephen'snamerather,inmanywaysIwillshowhowinexhaustibleitis,foritknowsno
endtothatperfectblessednessrepresentedbycrowns.Therefore,ifinaspiritoflovingthetruthweagainenjoycrowns
fromStephenandshareintheirmemory,thenwehopetoparticipate,[J.101]remainandbeglorifiedwithhim,[M.728]for
whenapromisehasbeenconfirmed,fellowshipinthefaithincreases.
Again,brothers,enjoymentofthegoodoccurswhenthemartyrs'memoryilluminatestheLord'sdayofresurrection.
ThroughtheseprecedingremarksthebrilliancebelongingtothegloryofChrist'sGospelhasilluminedourmindsinwhich
theraysofsalvationinvigoratejusticeandbanishthegloomofimpietyoncetheyhaveshedlightuponsoulsbyknowledge
ofthetruth.Tomethisisespeciallywonderfulandnoteworthy.Wefeelthesunwhichrisesearlyandwhoserays
foreshadowthecomingofdaybycastingitsraysuponeverythingunderheaven.Ithidesandobscuresthestars'chorusso
thatwecannolongerperceivetheirheavenlycircuit.ButourLordJesusChristrisestousfromonhighastheprophetsays
ofhim,"wherebythesun'srisingwillvisitupfromonhigh"[Lk1.78].Notonlydoes[thesun]hidelikestarsthoseholy
personswhowereitsprecursors,butitmakesthemshinemorebrightlyandcausesotherstogleammoreintensely.Forthe
prophetsradiatedafterhiscomingratherthanbefore.UponcomingintotheworldtheSaviorilluminedandrentthe
obscurityofprophecywithregardtotheScribes'decrees,havingfulfilledtheLawandprophets[cf.Rom13.10],forhedid
notcometoabolishtheLawandtheprophetsbuttofulfillthem[Mt5.17].TheSaviorsaidwithregardtohimself
concerningtheneworderofgrace,[M.729]"Iamthelightofthisworld"[Jn8.12].Thefountainofgoodnesscomingfrom
thegoodFatherdidnotscorntoallowhisservantsparticipateinhimselfbutsaidtohisdisciples,"Youarethelightofthe
world"[Mt5.14],and"Letyourdeedsshinebeforemen"[Mt5.16].WeagainconfirmherourwordsbytheLord'sgrace:
John[J.102]theBaptistwascalledalamp[Jn12.27],andinthePsalms[Christ]wasannouncedandwitnessedtobythe
Lord.TheprophetsaysinthepersonoftheFatherinoneofthehymns,"IhavepreparedalightformyChrist"[Ps131.17,
lxx].Thatis,Ihavepreparedahelperandprecursorforthelight.TheLordconfirmsthisvoiceoftheFatherbysaying,"He
[John]wasaburninglamp"[Jn5.35].However,suchalightwithdrewandbecameobscureattheLord'scomingwhowas
thesunofrighteousness[cf.Mal3.20].Inthisway,thebaptistmightradiateallthemoreasaproclaimerof[Christ's]
divinity.Johnthereforewascalledalampbecauseheilluminedthroughone[sun]alonethehouseofIsrael[cf.Mt5.15].
TheApostlesoftheSaviorwereneitherlamps,lightsnorstarsbutmessengersoflightnotilluminingoneregionorareabut
brighteningeveryplaceunderheaven.ThemostimportantleaderswerePeter,JamesandJohnwhoweredesignatedas
witnessesbyChrist,runningtotheendoftheirlivesandexpendingthemselvesbyvariousformsofwitness.Forhewhom
theLorddesignatedasleaderoftheapostolicchorusobtainedproperglory.Bythecrossheexpressedthelordlyimageof
theking(Imeantheimageofthecrossofwhichhewasnotashamedofsufferingbuttookitasagreattrophy.Neitherwe
noranyotherperson,asPaulsays,cansaythatJesusChristisourLord.ThusPeterradiateswithmuchholinessand
reverencewhenheissuspendedupsidedownonacrossinordernottoequalhimselfwithhisSavior'sglorywhichspread
throughhiscrucifixiontohumanityinitsentiretyandwhoseembraceincludedtheentireworld.Jameswasbeheaded[cf.
Acts12.2][J.103]outofloveforChristhistruehead.AstheApostlesays,Christistheheadofmanandtheentirechurch
[cf.1Cor11.3,Eph5.23].BlessedJohnenduredmany,diverseconflictsandsucceededinvariouspositionswithregardto
fosteringthereligion.He<<underwent[M.732]anunsuccessfulattemptatbeingdrowned(14)>>andwasjudgedtobe
numberedamongthemartyrs'chorus.[John]washeldinesteemnotbyhissufferingbutbyhisdesiretoundergo
martyrdom,atypeofdeathwhichbecameanimmortaltributewhobyhisdeathhadgracedthechurches.Itisindeedfitting
torecallthosespecialmennotonlywithregardtotheiroutstandingpietybuttheirnoblecharacter.Togethertheyhold
specialrankamongtheotherapostles,andtheircouragedoesnotbelongtohumanreasoningbutisinaccordwiththe
judgmentofdivinetruth.
SuchpersonsrecognizedbytheirgreatwondersareonlyknownbytheLordintheirsteadfastfidelityandtruewitness.This
wasthevisiononthemountainwhentheLordwastransfiguredinresplendent,divinegloryonlybeforePeter,Jamesand
John[[cf.Mt17.1ff.].BothMosesandEliaswerepresentwithhim,andhisbrilliancewhichwasovershadowedbyacloud
revealedtheking'sgreatimage.SuchwasthecasewithJairus'daughterwhom[Jesus]broughtbacktolife[cf.Mt26.37],
onlyinthisinstancetheywerewitnessestothemiracle.Withoutdelayingfurther,weseethat[Jesus]tookthesesamemenat
thetimeofhissavingpassionwhenheencouragedandconfirmedthemtobefaithfulbysaying,"Nowmysoulistroubled"
[Jn12.27].Wedonotrelatethesewordstocastabadlightupontherestoftheapostlesbutasatestimonyinremembrance
oftheirvirtue.Ifwemust[J.104]speaktruthfully,thenweofferacommonpraisetotheapostles,forexcellencyamongthe
saintsisnotrestrictedbyhumandiscernmentbutbyGod'sjudgmentandtruth.Wehavebeenmadeworthyofsharingthem
byrecallingsuchmenandmustgivethanksnotsomuchbecauseweareobliged(thisisimpossible)butinsofarour
capacity(thisindeedispossible).Thesaintsacceptourhonornotinordertogainsomethingbutonlythatwemightsharea
commonbenefit.AgainIthinkweshouldrecallnotonlyPeter,James[M.733]andJohnbutcelebratethememoryofallthe

apostles.Ifanyoneattainsthetruthwhichisinaccordwiththeirteachings,thispersonservestocompletetheformofone
body.AstheApostlesays,"ifonememberisglorifiedthenalltheothersareglorified"[1Cor12.26].Thustruthisespecially
presentinthoseblessed,perfectmenwhosharethesamefaithandthesameblessingofpietyandwhosolemnlyparticipate
inthetruth.WhodoesnotgladlyexultandisfilledwiththeHolySpiritoncehehasbeendeemedworthyofsharingthe
apostolicchorus,ofguidingtheentireworldintotheknowledgeoftruth,offillingthetruereligion'snetwiththeworld?
Suchapersonhasensnaredwithtrapswhateverbelongstothetruthinordertoseizeeverytypeofevilwhichafflicts
mankindandtoleadmentohimwhobothtamesandsavesthem?"Toeveryplaceontheearthgoestheirsound"[Ps18.5].
HerearethefoundationsoftheChurch,thecolumnsandsupportsoftruthwhicharetheeternalfountainsofsalvationfrom
whichwithgreatabundancethestreamsofdivineteachingflows.Withregardtothesemattersthepropheticvoicessaysto
us,"Youwilldrawwaterwithjoyfromthefountainsofsalvation"[Is12.3].
Peter,thechiefoftheApostles,isrecalledandtheremainingmembersoftheChurchareglorifiedwithhimforindeedthe
ChurchofGodisestablisheduponhim.ThisisaccordwiththeLord'swordswhomadehimthefirmandmostsolidrock
uponwhichhehadbuilthisChurch[cf.Mt16.16ff].ThenwehavementionofJames,Johnand[J.105]assonsofthunder
whomtheSaviorhadnamedandwhohadbroughtraincloudsforthegatheringofcloudsbynecessityheraldrain.Thusthe
cloudsrepresentApostlesandpropheticwordsalthoughtimesofpreachingdiffer,neverthelessthelawsoftruereligionare
inharmonyandonespiritisthesourceofvariousgifts.Butwhocanexplainforthosewhoareincapabletheircourageand
worthilyrecallapostolicvirtue?WedonotrefertoSimonwhowasknownforhisfishingorforhisambitiontoreceive
praisebuttohissteadfastfaithwhichmadetheentireChurchfirm.NeitheragaindowementionthesonsofZebedeebutthe
Boanergoi,thatis,theSonsofThunder.Howdoessuchafaintsoundisnowsoinsufficienttransformedintothunderous
wordswhichpenetrateeveryear?Thereforewedesiretodismissanineffectivesilencewithregardtostudyingthesaints
[M.736],beingfullyawarethattheirmemorymakesusworthyofbeingwiththemandofimitatingtheirvirtue.Wedonot
celebratetheirlivesbywordsbutbykeepingtheirmanneroflifeinoursminds.Weshowourselvesasworthydisciplesnot
throughirrationalwordsbutbyreverence,goodspeech,byhavingthesameopinionandardor.Doyouhonorthemartyrs'
memoryandholdtheminveneration?Fellowshipwiththeirmemoryimpliesagreementwiththeirmind.Doesnotthelight
ofknowledgebytheGospel'sgloryconcerningChristilluminesuchpersons[cf.2Cor4.4,6]?Isnotgracepouredoutby
them?Theircommands,wayoflife,struggle,judgementoftruthareoneandmakeusworthybytheprayersand
intercessionofthesaintswhomwerecallthroughthegraceofourLordJesusChrist,towhombegloryandpowerforever.
Amen.
1.Cf.LaPredicationdesPeresCappadociensbyJeanBernardi,(Paris,1968),p.290.
2.Cf.P.G.#46.11281149.
3.Cf.anarticleentitled"LaChronologiedesSermonsdeGregoiredeNysse"inRevuedesSciencesReligieuses#29(Paris,
1955),pp.3678.
4.Cf.514a,515a,539e.
5."Lesimagesetlesmotsinspiresparcettecomparaison[thatis,anathlete]abondentdanscesermon,maissonoriginalite
consisteavoirl'adversaired'EtiennemoinsdanssesjugesousesbourreauxquedansSatanluimeme."Ibid,p.293.
6."DiesepositivenDeutungendesTodesentspringenabernurderstrengtheologischenBetrachtungsweisedesTodesals
SchwellezumHeil."DieGrundlagenHeilsgeschichtlichenDenkensbeiGregorvonNyssa(Munchen,1970),p.177,
footnote#19.
7.RefertoEarlyChristianDoctrines(NewYork,1978)byJ.N.D.Kellywhogivessomehistoricalbackgroundintothis
matter,pp.25863.Also,TheFirstSevenEcumenicalCouncils(Wilmington,DE,1987),byLeoDonaldDavis,pp.10815.
8.GregoiredeNysseetL'HermeneutiqueBiblique(Paris,1983),p.181.
9."ZurweiterenCharakteristikderprokopewarenochaufeinDreifacheshinzuweisen.EsistvongrundlegenderBedeutung
furdasrichtigeVerstandnisdesAufstiegs,daerdenAbstiegChristi,dieInkarnation."GregorvonNyssaalsMystiker
(Wiesbaden,1955),pp.1867.
10.Cf.P.G.#44.130426.Forthecriticaltext,refertoTheTreatiseofGregoryofNyssa.InIllud:TuncetIpseFilius.A
CriticalTextwithPrologomena(Cambridge,MA,1947).
11.PlatonismeetTheologieMystique(Paris,1944)p.181.
12.Withregardtothisnotionof"firstfruits"andtheunityofChrist'sbody,ReinhardHubnersays,"DieTragweitederLeib
ChristiTheologieGregorshangtabvonderTragweitederTheologiederGottebenebildlichkeitdesMenschen,dennder
LeibChristiderEndzeitistdieVollzahlderinihrerursprunglichenGottahnlichkeitWiderhergestellten,dasEndstadiumder
RuckfuhrungallerausderEntfremdunginihrenaturlicheerkenntnisabigeundwillentlicheVerhaftungimalleinSeienden

undGuten,dasihrSeinsgrundist,dieZentrierungdesBlickesalleraufdaseineZeil."DieEinheitdesLeibesChristibei
GregorvonNyssa(Leiden,1974),p.231.
13.Theletter"J"waschosenasreferringtothecriticaleditionbecausethetaskofpreparingtheentirecorpusofGregoryof
Nyssa'sworkswasbegunbyWernerJaegerandcontinuedafterhisdeathbyotherscholars.
14.Thisphraseisobscureinthecriticaltext.