Monday, January 2, 2017

"our great pursuit, the great name we wanted"

"Our single object and ambition was virtue, and a life of hope in the blessings . . . to come [(Ἓν δ' ἀμφοτέροις ἔργον ἡ ἀρετή, καὶ τὸ ζῆν πρὸς τὰς μελλούσας ἐπίδας)]":
Different men have different names, which they owe to their parents, or to themselves, that is, to their own achievements.  But our great pursuit, the great name we wanted, was to be Christians, to be called Christians [(ἡμῖν δὲ τὸ μέγα πρᾶγμα καὶ ὄναμα χριστιανοὺς καὶ εἶναι καὶ ὀνομάζεσθαι)].
     Gregory of Nazianzus, Oratio 43, in laudem Basilii Magni 20 and 21, as translated in Liturgy of the hours 1, 1287.  SC 384 (1992), 168; ed. Boulenger (1908), 102PG 36, col. 524.  FC 22, trans. Leo P. McCauley, S.J. (1968 [1953]), 45:
Different men have different names, derived from their ancestors or their own pursuits and deeds.  Our great concern, our great name, was to be Christians and be called Christians.
LNPNF 2, 402:
Different men have different names, derived from their fathers, their families, their pursuits, their exploits:  we had but one great business and name—to be and to be called Christians. . . .

No comments: