The Presbyters Project

Sermon 196

4. [...] Natali Ioannis, id est ante sex menses - tot enim menses inter se habent praeco et iudex -, de solemnitate superstitiosa pagana, christiani ad mare ueniebant et ibi se baptizabant. Absens eram: sed, sicut comperi, per disciplinam christianorum presbyteri permoti,

quibusdam dignam et ecclesiasticam disciplinam dederunt. Murmurauerunt inde homines, et dixerunt quidam: quantum erat ut indicaretur nobis? Si ante praemoneremur, non faceremus. Ipsi praemonuissent presbyteri, non fecissemus. Ecce episcopus praemonet; moneo, praedico, denuntio. [...]

(ed. Migne 1865: 1021)

Sermon 196

4. [...] On the birthday of John the Baptist, six months ago that is (that, you see, is how many months there are between the herald and the Judge), Christians took part in a superstitious pagan festival by going to sea and baptizing each other. I was away; but, as I learned, the presbyters, being zealous for the discipline of Christians, imposed a fitting ecclesiastical penance on some persons. People grumbled about it, and some said, "Was it so much trouble to warn us? If we were forewarned in good time, we wouldn't do it. Had the presbyters themselves forewarned us we wouldn't have done it." Well, here's the bishop forewarning you; I'm warning you, I'm telling you beforehand, I'm formally commanding you. [...]

(trans. E. Hill)

Discussion:

This is one of Augustine's Christmas sermons.

Place of event:

Region

Latin North Africa

City

Hippo Regius

About the source:

Author: Augustine of Hippo
Title: Sermons, Sermones, Homilies
Origin: Hippo Regius (Latin North Africa)
Denomination: Catholic/Nicene/Chalcedonian

Copies of between 400 and 500 of Augustine`s sermons have survived to our times. Most of these 400-500 sermons were taken down by scribes as he preached without the use of a prepared script. They are a faithful stenographic record of what Augustine actually said, with probably no subsequent editing of them by himself.

They cover a wide range of topics. They are usually based on the Scripture passage read during the liturgy. The homilies on the Psalms and the Gospels have been preserved in separate collections.

Edition:

J. P. Migne ed., Sancti Aurelii Augustini Hipponensis episcopi opera omnia. Tomus quintus, pars prior, Patrologia Latina 38, Paris 1865.

Translation:

Saint Augustine, Sermons (184-229Z) on the Liturgical Seasons, trans. E. Hill, New York 1993.

Categories:

Described by a title - Presbyter/πρεσβύτερος

Ritual activity - Reconciliation/Administering penance

Relation with - Townsman

Ecclesiastical administration

Equal prerogatives of presbyters and bishops

Pastoral activity - Teaching

Please quote this record referring to its author, database name, number, and, if possible, stable URL: S. Adamiak, Presbyters in the Late Antique West, ER826, http://www.presbytersproject.ihuw.pl/index.php?id=6&SourceID=826