St. Peter Chrysologus: Defender of Faith – Jul 30 – Homily – Fr John Lawrence

 

Fr John Lawrence gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Jul 30, 2025, on how St. Peter Chrysologus, a fifth-century bishop of Ravenna, defended the Catholic faith against heresies through his sermons, earning the title "Golden Word."
Father, St. Peter Chrysologus, born around 380 in Imola, was a pivotal figure in the early Christian Church, becoming bishop of Ravenna around 426, during a time when Christianity was solidified as the Roman Empire’s state religion under Theodosius I. He combated the Arian heresy, which denied Christ’s consubstantiality with the Father, asserting in his sermons that Christ’s divinity is evident in the virgin birth and resurrection, as implied in his teachings on the Incarnation (CCC 461). His defense of Mary as the Mother of God countered the Nestorian heresy condemned at the Council of Ephesus in 431 (CCC 466). Father worked closely with Galla Placidia, the empress regent, praising her faith as reflective of the Church’s reverence for the Trinity (CCC 234). He also addressed the Eutychian heresy, which denied Christ’s human nature, urging obedience to Pope St. Leo’s doctrinal authority (CCC 88). In his letter to Eutyches, Father emphasized the primacy of the Pope, stating that “blessed Peter… offers the truth of faith to those who seek it,” a principle later affirmed at the Council of Chalcedon in 451 (CCC 88). His nearly 200 sermons earned him the title “Golden Word” and the designation as a Doctor of the Church in 1729, reflecting his enduring impact on Catholic doctrine. Father’s life ended around 450 in Imola, where he was buried near St. Cassian’s shrine after gifting sacred vessels.

For Further Reading

Catechism of the Catholic Church #461 - The Incarnation of the Word - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p122a3p1.htm#461
Catechism of the Catholic Church #466 - Mary, Mother of God - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p122a3p1.htm#466
Catechism of the Catholic Church #234 - The Mystery of the Trinity - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p1s2c1p2.htm#234
Catechism of the Catholic Church #88 - Authority of the Magisterium - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p1s1c2a2.htm#88
Franciscan Media - St. Peter Chrysologus - Life of the Doctor of the Church - https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-peter-chrysologus/
Wikipedia - St. Peter Chrysologus - Historical context and legacy - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Chrysologus
Catholic Answers - The Divinity of Christ - Explaining Christ’s divine nature - https://www.catholic.com/tract/the-divinity-of-christ

00:00 - Introduction to St. Peter
00:30 - Imola and early life
01:00 - Christianity as state religion
01:45 - Combating Arian heresy
02:30 - Virgin birth and divinity
03:15 - Bishop Cornelius’ influence
04:00 - Ravenna as imperial fortress
04:45 - Galla Placidia’s regency
05:30 - Bishop of Ravenna
06:15 - Condemning Nestorian heresy
07:00 - Eutyches’ heresy response
07:45 - Legacy and Golden Word

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Peter Chrysologus - Opt Mem - http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=464
Readings: Wednesday 17th Week of Ordinary Time - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/073025.cfm
1st: exo 34:29-35
Resp: psa 99:5, 6, 7, 9 0
Gsp: mat 13:44-46

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1118&r=1458

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