Amphilochius of Iconium, On the Sinful Woman

In mulierem peccatricem

yields the hem. Yes, for he is a physician who touches all our ailments, so that he might benefit all, the evil and the good alike, the ungrateful and

reddening her cheeks with dyes and forcing herself by artifice to appear beautiful, she lured the young to licentiousness, unexpectedly turning them a

with tears. But even if she did not speak with her tongue, but with groans that cannot be uttered she gave voice, revealing the contrition of her hear

But testing the things to come, having passed over her previous evils with amnesty, he honors the woman and praises her repentance, he justifies her t

her salvation grieved him. For he saw through her that the race was finally turning to repentance, and he is bitten and vexed, no longer having a net

He is silent about the woman, so that he might not spoil the answer. The one, he says, owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. The manner of t

pleasure, but imitate lamentation. For pleasure begot lamentation, but lamentation procured release from evils. Therefore wash your body not with wate

pleasure, but imitate lamentation. For pleasure begot lamentation, but lamentation procured release from evils. Therefore wash your body not with waters, but with tears; anoint your limbs not with ointments, but with purity. Clothe yourselves not with the fabrics of the Seres, but with the incorruptible garment of self-control, so that you may obtain the same glory, offering thanks to the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, to whom be the glory and the honor, with the Father and the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

ἡδονήν, ἀλλὰ τὸν θρῆνον μιμήσασθε. Ἡ ἡδονὴ μὲν γὰρ τὸν θρῆνον ἐγέννησεν, ὁ θρῆνος δὲ τῶν κακῶν τὴν λύσιν προεξένη σε. Λούσατε οὖν ὑμῶν μὴ ὕδασιν, ἀλλὰ δάκρυσι τὸ σῶμα· ἀλείψατε μὴ μύροις, ἀλλ' ἁγνείᾳ τὰ μέλη. Ἐνδύσασθε μὴ τὰ Σηρῶν ὑφάσματα, ἀλλὰ τὸ ἄφθαρτον τῆς σωφροσύνης ἱμάτιον, ἵνα τῆς αὐτῆς τύχητε δόξης, χάριν ἀναπέμποντες τῷ ἀμνῷ τοῦ θεοῦ τῷ αἴροντι τὴν ἁμαρτίαν τοῦ κόσμου, ᾧ ἡ δόξα καὶ ἡ τιμή, σὺν τῷ πατρὶ καὶ τῷ ἁγίῳ πνεύματι, νῦν καὶ ἀεί, καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων. Ἀμήν.