The Hexaemeron


Read by Jonathan Lange

(4.7 stars; 49 reviews)

The Hexaemeron is the title of nine homilies delivered by St. Basil on the the cosmogony of the opening chapters of Genesis. When and where they were delivered is quite uncertain. They are Lenten sermons, delivered at both the morning and evening services, and appear to have been listened to by working men. (Hom. iii. 1) Some words in Hom. viii. have confirmed the opinion that they were preached extempore, in accordance with what is believed to have been Basil's ordinary practice. Internal evidence points in the same direction for though a marked contrast might be expected between the style of a work intended to be read, like the De Spiritu Sancto, and that of the orations to be spoken in public, the Hexaemeron shews signs of being and unwritten composition. In earlier ages, it was the most celebrated and admired of Basil's works. Photius (Migne, Pat. Gr. cxli) puts it first of all, and speaks warmly of its eloquence and force. As an example of oratory he would rank it with the works of Plato and Demosthenes. (Introduction by Nicene Post-Nicene Fathers, Series II, Vol. VIII)

Chapters

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1 - In the Beginning God Made the Heaven and the Earth 33:22 Read by Jonathan Lange
2 - The Earth Was Invisible and Unfinished 32:26 Read by Jonathan Lange
3 - On the Firmament 33:32 Read by Jonathan Lange
4 - Upon the Gathering Together of the Waters 22:38 Read by Jonathan Lange
5 - The Germination of the Earth 31:52 Read by Jonathan Lange
6 - The Creation of Luminous Bodies 43:19 Read by Jonathan Lange
7 - The Creation of Moving Creatures 25:55 Read by Jonathan Lange
8 - The Creation of Fowl and Water Animals 33:47 Read by Jonathan Lange
9 - The Creation of Terrestrial Animals 29:45 Read by Jonathan Lange

Reviews

grateful to Librivox


(4.5 stars)

Thank you for this excellent reading. Through this app I have been able to read scores of classics that I had neglected. On the road, on the treadmill, at the kitchen sink, with or without Bluetooth devices. The Hexaemeron is a snapshot of the state of knowledge in the late Graeco-Roman period. The geocentric cosmology is an anachronism now, but the critique of astrology remains surprisingly relevant among us who are supposedly so much more sophisticated. The argument over ultimate causation has not advanced much at all. Other details like the map of the world and it's waterways, how animals are classed, and some habits of them, reflect the knowledge of the time and remind us all not to be overly dogmatic when we extrapolate truths beyond our data sets.

Thanks Librivox and volunteers!


(5 stars)

Highly educational and spiritual, I love it!


(5 stars)

What a treasure! Glorious teaching on our glorious God. How excellent is His Name in all the earth. Thank you for your reading, Mr Langue!

Consistent and Practical


(4 stars)

Though with occasional dryness, really quite a nice recording of an old gem.

excellent Reading.


(5 stars)

A beautiful text clearly read. Thank you very much, Mr. Lang.


(5 stars)

Beautiful and spiritual homilies. Very well read. Thank you to the reader!