View source for Jerome

== Jerome ==

[[File:Jerome.jpg|right|250px|thumb|]]

Jerome, Latin in full Eusebius Hieronymus, pseudonym Sophronius, (born c. 347, Stridon, Dalmatia—died 419/420, Bethlehem, Palestine; feast day September 30), biblical translator and monastic leader, traditionally regarded as the most learned of the Latin Fathers.

[[Jerome]] was known for his teachings on Christian moral life, especially to those living in cosmopolitan centers such as [[Rome]]. He is best known for his translation of the [[Bible]] into Latin, known as the Vulgate, and his commentaries on the Gospels.

* '''"[[Bishop]]s, presbyters([[Elder]]) and [[deacon]]s occupy in the [[church]] the same positions as those which were occupied by Aaron, his sons, and the [[Levites]] in the temple."''' [[Jerome]], Ep. 146

Christianity was no longer in its infancy. All the Jews who had accepted Christ at [[Pentecost]] formed a new government along the principles taught by the prophets from [[Abraham]] to [[John the Baptist]]. [[Constantine]] had turned the social [[welfare]] system of [[Rome]] over to his version of the Christian Church.

Jerome often focused his attention to the way he thought women devoted to Roman forms of Christianity should live their life. He had a close "patron" relationships with several prominent women of influential Roman and senatorial families who were said to be ascetics.  Vestal Virgins (Vestales, singular Vestalis) were  Roman vision of the priestesses of Vesta, a goddess of the hearth. 

The College of the Vestals was fundamental to the continuance and security of [[Rome]]'s system of socialized government. They were exempt from the usual social obligations to marry and bear children, and took a vow of chastity in order to devote themselves to maintaining the essential records of the Roman [[Temples]].

This was not a practice of early Christianity and certainly contrary to what Paul said about women getting married if they were still of a child bearing age.

Jerome, around 400 AD, believed that women were bad news for men and that they were uncontrollable, excessively passioned, and unreasonable. Although, the writings and opinions of Jerome and others were enormously influential in defining what has been historically touted as the Church in the medieval world, their conclusions seem to fly in the face of God’s creative instincts.
“And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man.” [[Genesis 2]]:22

Jerome inferred that women were inferior “they degraded men.”<Ref>World Civilizations Richard Hooker http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/CHRIST/EUROPE.HTM</Ref>

“And Adam said, This [is] now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” [[Genesis 2]]:23, 24 

Women do not degrade men. A good woman is a blessing or a curse, depending on the heart and soul of the man. It is only weak, selfish, and proud men who blame their sin on God’s gift. The nature of women is not responsible for man’s sin and choice.

Jerome was supported by his patrons and was a part of the instant Christian conversions of the Emperor [[Constantine]]. But was he in conformity with Christ or the [[early Church]].

== Coming to terms with Jerome ==

We see that Jerome, in his Epistle 146 sees the Church as taking over the role of the Levites to secure the [[daily ministration]] in the practice of [[Pure Religion]] instituted by Christ.

: "Bishops, presbyters and deacons occupy in the church the same positions as those which were occupied by Aaron, his sons, and the [[Levites]] in the temple."

This was correct about the Church taking the place of the [[Church in the wilderness]] who were the [[Levites]] because the [[kingdom of God]] had been taken<Ref name="ktaken">{{ktaken}}</Ref>  from those who were not bearing fruit because they abandon [[Moses]] accept in name only. We know their way of [[Corban]] was making the word of God to none effect and that was taking the name of the [[LORD]] the name of [[Moses]] in vain. He then appointed that kingdom <Ref name="Appointk">{{Appointk}}</Ref> to other Jews who would graft in the lost sheep and the [[gentiles]].<Ref name="graftgentile">{{graftgentile}}</Ref>

But Jerome's view of the organized Church began to align more with that of the [[Pharisees]] and certainly [[Constantine]] and [[Ambrose]].

=== Archdeacon ===


Does an archdeacon have authority over deacons?

Are the terms  ''archdeacon'' (Archidiaconi) or even the less common ''arch[[presbyter]]'' (Archipresbyteri) the best term to use to describe their position within the Church?


[[Jerome]], on his Ep. 125.15 <Ref name="latin125-15>"Latin: Epistola CXXVI, Ad Marcellinum et Anapsychiam" xv (sec. 15.) "Nulla ars absque magistro discitur. Etiam muta animalia, et ferarum greges, ductores sequuntur suos. In apibus principes sunt: grues unam sequuntur ordine litterato. Imperator unus: Judex unus provinciae. Roma ut condita est, duos fratres simul habere reges non potuit, et parricidio dedicatur. Iu Rebeccae utero, Esau, et Jacob bella gesserunt (Gen. 25. 22). '''Singuli Ecclesiarum Episcopi, singuli Archipresbyteri, singuli Archidiaconi: et omnis ordo Ecclesiasticus suis rectoribus nititur.''' In navi unus gubernator: in domo unus Dominus: in quamvis grandi exercitu, unius signum expectatur. Et ne plura replicando fastidium legenti faciam, per haec omnia ad illud tendit oratio; ut doceam te, non tuo arbitrio dimittendum, sed vivere debere in monasterio sub unius disciplina Patris, consortioque multorum, ut ab alio discas humilitatem, ab alio patientiam: hic te silentium, ille doceat mansuetudinem. Non facias quod vis, comedas quod juberis, vestiare quod acceperis, operis tui pensum persolvas, subjiciaris cui non vis, lassus ad stratum venias, ambulansque dormites, et necdum [al. nec demum] expleto somno, surgere compellaris. Dicas Psalmum in ordine tuo; IN QUO NON dulcedo vocis, sed mentis affectus quaeritur, dicente Apostolo: Psallam spiritu, psallam et mente (1. Cor. 14. 15): Et, Cantantes in cordibus vestris Domino. Legerat enim esse praeceptum, Psallite sapienter. Servias fratribus, hospitum laves pedes; passus injuriam taceas; Praepositum monasterii timeas ut dominum, diligas ut parentem. Credas tibi salutare quidquid ille praeceperit; nec de majorum sententia judices, cujus officii est obedire, et implere quae jussa sunt, dicente Moyse: Audi Israel, et tace (Deut. 27. 9. juxta LXX). Tantis negotiis occupatus, nullis vacabis cogitationibus, et dum ab alio transis ad aliud, opusque succedit operi, illud solum mente tenebis, quod agere compelleris." http://www.patrologia-lib.ru/patrolog/hieronym/epist/epist04.htm</Ref> mentions an archdeacon.
:  "Each church has a single [[bishop]], a single arch[[presbyter]], a single [[archdeacon]]<Ref>An ''archdeacon'', in the Christian church during the European Middle Ages was the chief deacon at the [[bishop]]'s own church; </Ref>; and every ecclesiastical order is subjected to its own rulers.<Ref>"No art is ever learned without a master. Even dumb animals and wild herds follow leaders of their own. Bees have princes, and cranes fly after one of their number in the shape of a Y. There is but one emperor and each province has but one judge. Rome was founded by two brothers, but, as it could not have two kings at once, was inaugurated by an act of fratricide. So too Esau and Jacob strove in Rebekah's womb. Genesis 25:22. '''Each church has a single bishop, a single archpresbyter, a single [[archdeacon]]; and every ecclesiastical order is subjected to its own rulers.''' A ship has but one pilot, a house but one master, and the largest army moves at the command of one man. That I may not tire you by heaping up instances, my drift is simply this. Do not rely on your own discretion, but live in a monastery. For there, while you will be under the control of one father, you will have many companions; and these will teach you, one humility, another patience, a third silence, and a fourth meekness. You will do as others wish; you will eat what you are told to eat; you will wear what clothes are given you; you will perform the task allotted to you; you will obey one whom you do not like, you will come to bed tired out; you will go to sleep on your feet and you will be forced to rise before you have had sufficient rest. When your turn comes, you will recite the psalms, a task which requires not a well modulated voice but genuine emotion: The apostle says: I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the understanding also, 1 Corinthians 14:15 and to the Ephesians, make melody in your hearts to the Lord. Ephesians 5:19 For he had read the precept of the psalmist: Sing ye praises with understanding. You will serve the brothers, you will wash the guests' feet; if you suffer wrong you will bear it in silence; the superior of the community you will fear as a master and love as a father. Whatever he may order you to do you will believe to be wholesome for you. You will not pass judgment upon those who are placed over you, for your duty will be to obey them and to do what you are told, according to the words spoken by Moses: keep silence and hearken, O Israel. You will have so many tasks to occupy you that you will have no time for [evil] thoughts; and while you pass from one thing to another and fresh work follows work done, you will only be able to think of what you have it in charge at the moment to do." https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3001125.htm </Ref> 


: The more literal translation of the sentance "Singuli Ecclesiarum Episcopi, singuli Archipresbyteri, singuli Archidiaconi: et omnis ordo Ecclesiasticus suis rectoribus nititur."<Ref name="latin125-15></Ref> would be "Individual Bishops of the Churches, each Archpresbyter, each [[Archdeacon]]: and every Ecclesiastical order rests on its rulers." with "suis rectoribus(driver) nititur(relies upon)" by itself being translated "He relies on his leaders" rather than ''rulers''.

: His comparisons with nature are correct for their are leaders we see when birds migrate upon the wind but those that follow the leader choose to do so. And in nature the ducks and geese take turns at being leaders to relieve the burden of those who guide the flock.
: His mention of Emperors and Romulus and Remus<Ref>"There is but one emperor and each province has but one judge. Rome was founded by two brothers, but, as it could not have two kings at once, was inaugurated by an act of fratricide."</Ref> is certainly misplaced for we were told by Christ to not be like the governments of the other nations.<Ref name="exauth">{{exauth}}</Ref>
: His  comparison with Esau and Jacob are not a good fit either for that striving would not be in accordance with [[The Way]] of Christ.
: The literal translation of the sentance "Singuli Ecclesiarum Episcopi, singuli Archipresbyteri, singuli Archidiaconi: et omnis ordo Ecclesiasticus suis rectoribus nititur." would be "Individual Bishops of the Churches, each Archpresbyter, each Archdeacon: and every Ecclesiastical order rests on its rulers." with "suis rectoribus(driver) nititur(relies upon)" by itself being translated "He relies on his leaders."

The same precepts would apply to an arch[[bishop]].

{{Church}}

{{Template:Network}}

== Footnotes ==

<references />

{{Template:Gregory-info‎}}

[[Category:People]]