Narrative Shape of Emotion in the Preaching of John Chrysostom

John Chrysostom remains, along with Augustine, one of the most prolific witnesses to the world of late antiquity. As priest of Antioch and bishop of Constantinople, he earned his reputation as an extraordinary preacher.

In this first unified study of emotions in Chrysostom’s writings, Blake Leyerle examines the fourth-century preacher’s understanding of anger, grief, and fear. These difficult emotions, she argues, were central to Chrysostom’s program of ethical formation and were taught primarily through narrative means. In recounting the tales of scripture, Chrysostom consistently draws attention to the emotional tenor of these stories, highlighting biblical characters’ moods, discussing their rational underpinnings, and tracing the outcomes of their reactions. By showing how assiduously Chrysostom aimed not only to allay but also to arouse strong feelings in his audiences to combat humanity’s indifference and to inculcate zeal, Leyerle provides a fascinating portrait of late antiquity’s foremost preacher.

Ioan Gura de Aur ramane, alaturi de Augustin, unul dintre cei mai prolifici martori ai lumii antichitatii tarzii. Ca preot al Antiohiei si episcop al Constantinopolului, si-a castigat reputatia de predicator extraordinar. In acest prim studiu unificat al emotiilor din scrierile lui Hrisostom, Blake Leyerle examineaza intelegerea predicatorului din secolul al IV-lea despre manie, durere si frica.