HARVARD UKRAINIAN STUDIES - See also - Harvard University

VYSENS 'KYJ'S ЮЕА OF REFORM 45the Priesthood they had sought to reveal to all who were ignorant of thedignity inherent in the priesthood Chrysostom's struggle on behalf of thesalvation of human souls. 36Instead, what VySens'kyj found false, slanderous,and even blasphemous were certain "additions" offered by thetranslator "in the appendices to the commentary on the Apostle," that is, inthe "eclogues" drawn from Chrysostom's homilies devoted to the epistles ofSt. Paul.The object of VySens'kyj's frontal assault was the translation of part ofeclogue XIV, which is entitled: "By the same [St. John Chrysostom]. Praiseto the teachers, and how it is proper for them to persevere in everything forthe sake of God's Word." 37The fourteenth eclogue contains excerpts fromChrysostom's homily VI on First Corinthians (devoted to 1 Cor. 2.1-5) aswell as excerpts from his homily XII on First Corinthians (devoted to 1 Cor.4.6-10). The special focus of his attention was a portion of the sixth homilyin which Chrysostom aimed to denounce the unbelief and acquisitive characterof contemporary society in contradistinction to the age of the apostles.In VySens'kyj's opinion, a textual portion located near the end of theexcerpt from the sixth homily had not been written by Chrysostom himselfbut was, instead, a blasphemous addition of the translator which deservedthe strongest possible condemnation. I quote in English translation theexcerpt from Chrysostom's homily VI in its entirety—as found in the SlavicBook on the Priesthood—with the alleged "addition" of the translator initalics:From the Sixth Homily on the First Book to the Corinthians."For," it is written, "let your light so shine before men, that they may see your goodworks and give glory to your Father who is in heaven" [Mt. 5.16]. "And they wereall of one heart and soul, and not a single one said that any of his belongings was hisown, but they had everything in common, and they made distribution to each as anyhad need" [Acts 4.32, 35], and they lived an angelic life. And if this were done now,we would convert the whole world, even without signs. But in the meanwhile, letthose who wish to be saved give heed to the Scriptures; for they will find there boththese noble actions and those which are greater than these. For the teachers themselvessurpassed the deeds which are of the others, in hunger, in thirst, and nakedness.But we are desirous of enjoying much luxurious living, rest, and ease;36I.e., "...podvih o spaseniju ljudskom... " (211.20-21); see fh. 120 below.37"Tohoźde, Poxvala ućitelem, i jako podobaet im vsja tr"pîti slova radi Войа" (KS, pp.227-31). The use in the title of the marked term tr"piti (cf. Greek, προσκαρτερέω, 'bedevoted to, persevere in') underscores the apostolic underpinnings of eclogue XTV and the crucialconnection between teaching and apostleship. See, in this regard, Acts 2.42: "And theydevoted themselves to the apostle's teaching and fellowship [Ostroh Bible: Ί bjaxuze tr"pjaśćeν oucenii apóstol, i v obäcenii'], to the breaking of bread and the prayers" (cf. Eph. 6.18).