Chrysostom's writings on civil authority also deserve
attention, since it was frequently necessary for him to speak about this
subject, especially in Constantinople. In his conception authority entails
inequality and is a form of enslavement. It has been established by God, but
only as a result of sin. In paradise there was no authority because there was no
inequality and man was free, but sin has made authority indispensable for the
regulation of life in society, and without it there would be no order or peace.
However, those who are in power are sinful just like everyone else, and for this
reason authority often becomes harsh and unjust. This does not detract from the
legitimacy of this authority, and everyone must remain obedient to it. It is
only in the Church that secular authority has any limitations, for it cannot
enter the Church's confines. Those who serve the Church are summoned to console
the injured and the sorrowful. "Courts instill fear, so let priests give
comfort. The authorities act by threats, so let the Church give encouragement,"
Chrysostom writes. "God has arranged for our salvation by means of both one and
the other. He has armed the authorities so that they can instill fear in those
who are audacious and He has consecrated priests so that they can comfort those
who grieve."
At the same time it is also the duty of the priesthood to
enlighten those in authority and, when necessary, to denounce them for their
abuses. "The ultimate authority of the priest is higher than that of the
emperor," Chrysostom writes. "Therefore even the emperor bows his head under the
hand of the priest. In the Old Testament it was the priests who anointed the
emperors. However, the priest has been given only the right to speak out
fearlessly, and he is not allowed to use force. In Chrysostom's eyes civil
authority always remains inviolable, but he considers that it is nevertheless
under the higher jurisdiction of the Church. In this respect his remarkable
orations On the Statues and also his intercession on behalf of Eutropius, are
typical. He himself considered this incident a "brilliant victory" for the
Church and a "most glorious monument." Hostility and hatred were dissipated at
the very threshold of the Church and violence was averted.
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