The Ancient Witnesses

Chapter 7: The Last Times • 231

Mentor acknowledged them and introduced a third witness, “Chrysostom,” whose name he explained means “Golden Mouth.” “He must have a lot of gold fillings!” teased Preacher. “The esteemed Chrysostom has preached fifty-five memorable sermons from the book of Acts,” said Mentor, ignoring Preacher’s joke. Unlike the Roman witnesses, who were clean-shaven, Chrysostom had a long white beard. His robe was embroidered with large crosses on each shoulder, and his bronze skin and narrow nose made him the very picture of eastern Church father. Speaking on the passages Mentor had just read, Chrysostom began, “What is this Pentecost? It is the time when the sickle was put to the harvest, and the ingathering was made. Now, let us consider what has been said from the beginning.” 5 Chrysostom began explaining Pentecost in light of the Joel 2 prophecy, emphasizing the pouring out of the Spirit. The pitch of his voice rose as his sermon took shape. “When the day of Pentecost had come in fullness,” he said, looking up at heaven, “the Spirit filled the house and that Spirit was a very pool of water. For, the pouring out of water signifies for us the abundance of the Spirit, just as fire signifies intensity. Such a forceful, overflowing Spirit was not seen among the prophets, for to unsatisfied souls the abundance had not yet been poured out.”

5 This and following words of Chrysostom are paraphrased from The Acts of the Apostles , Homily IV (NPNF 1.11.25-31), and Patrologia Graeca vol.60.