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Click here to read at earlychurchtexts.com in the original Greek (with dictionary lookup links). The English translation below is by the Revd Andrew Maguire. Below are the opening and closing sections of the homily. The full Greek text of this homily (with dictionary lookup links) and a full English translation can be found on the subscription site.

• Is like an electronic encyclopedia of the first five centuries of Church History, with extensive links (subscription version only) to information on around 800 people and themes, and around 230 Church Councils;

• Is a Reader in Early Christian History and Theology with 250+, with over 2,200 printable pages, carefully prepared on-site texts (Greek and/or Latin with English translation alongside) from the first five centuries of the life of the Church. These cover a range of significant themes and represent several authors (a sample text is here and a complete list of on-site texts here). All have dictionary lookup links. There is also an introduction to each text (to help in understanding its context and significance) together with background notes linked with the text, carefully prepared printable versions, a site search engine and many other helpful features;

• Gives easy access to complete Greek and Latin texts which are in the public domain and translations (where found available) from the first five centuries. There are carefully indexed links to authors and their works, including an index of commentaries, homilies etc. by biblical book. Nearly all of the Greek and Latin texts from this period contained in the Migne Patrologia series are covered. Some other sources are also used. The texts used are the scanned versions available at Google Books and elsewhere. A distinctive feature of the Early Church Texts website is that where English translations have been found available online they can easily be read immediately alongside the original Greek and Latin. (A complete list of authors represented is here. A sample text is here.)

Try out the feature rich subscription version of the Early Church Texts website for just $5 for a trial period or $30 for a year ($15 student rate). Click here for more information. Check out the video demo of the site. Click here to go to the Early Church Texts Home Page for the publicly available version of the site which has just the original Greek and Latin texts with dictionary lookup links.

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FLAVIAN OF ANTIOCH - DO NOT ANATHEMATIZE THE LIVING OR THE DEAD

I have recently been speaking with you about the impossibility of coming to a full knowledge of God. I put forward several arguments and demonstrated from the testimony of Scripture and from natural reasoning that, even for the unseen powers (I mean for those who exist in immaterial and blessed realms) a full apprehension of the divine is unattainable. Yet we, who live amidst all the confusion and change of life and are inclined to all manner of evil - we attempt to grasp what is completely unfathomable even to invisible beings. We take as the starting point for such utterances the judgment of our own reason and the worthless recognition given to us by our audience. We do not determine through reason the limit of our natural powers. We do not follow divine Scripture or the testimony of the fathers. Instead, dragged along by our own crazy preconceptions, as though by a wintry storm, we have plunged into such great sin. Well then - having set before you reasonable arguments about “anathema”, and having demonstrated its power, which you consider negligible - let us restrain our unbridled mouths from it, as I make plain to you the sickness of those who have used it carelessly……………..

I appeal to you: renounce this evil. Behold, I speak and testify before God and the chosen angels: it will result in great harm and deadly fire for us on the day of judgment. Remember the scene in the parable of the virgins (Matthew 25:1-13). There were those who had radiant faith and were leading an exemplary life; but when the Lord of all observed their hard-heartedness, he rendered them strangers to the bridal chamber. How then are we to be counted worthy of salvation when we lead our lives in total and fearless licence and behave towards our kith and kin without mercy? So I beg you: do not listen to the kind of words I have shared as if they only had passing interest. We must anathematize heretical opinions from whomsoever we hear them. We must refute unholy doctrines. But we must exercise the utmost restraint towards the people who utter them and pray for their salvation. May all of us hold fast to love for God and neighbour. May we live out our Lord’s commandments. With mercy and bright lamps may we meet the heavenly bridegroom on the day of resurrection, bringing to him countless people who have benefited from our compassion. By the grace and kindness of the only-begotten Son of God with whom be glory to the Father and to the Holy Spirit now and always and to the ages. Amen