Wschodni Ojcowie Kościoła w katechezie biblijnej. Św. Jan Chryzostom

Abstract

The present paper continues a series of publications on Eastern and Western Fathers of the Church in biblical catechesis. The Fathers who are recognized with the titles of the Great Doctors of the Church were selected for presentation. The series is neither focused on patristic research, nor concerned in presentation of the broad spectrum of topics related to a particular Father of the Church in catechesis, but it is intended to draw the practical application for biblical catechesis out of the life and works of Fathers. The paper were presented propositions for biblical catechesis resulting from the realization of purposes of gaining knowledge, acquiring skills and abilities, and building attitudes. The purpose of gaining knowledge can be realised by presenting information concerning life and writings of St. John Chrysostom, with particular attention to the writings and statements related to the Bible; the purpose of acquiring skills and abilities can be achieved by using some St. John Chrysostom’s state ments to interpret biblical passages; the purpose of building attitudes can be fulflled by establishing personal relation to St. John Chrysostom, who is to become a teacher of faith and prayer for the catechised person, as a great Doctor of the Church and a man of biblical spirituality. There were presented propositions for biblical catechesis resulting from the realization of six basic tasks of catechesis. The frst four of them (promotion of knowledge of the faith, liturgical education, moral formation and teaching to pray) are in accordance with the four parts of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Therefore there were indicated all fragments taken out of the St. John Chrysostom’s writings and related to each of these tasks, which can be found in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. As far as the ffth task of catechesis is concerned (education for community life), its realization includes gaining knowledge on the history of the Church, therefore presentation of St. John Chrysostom’s personality is advisable with respect to the knowledge of the patristic period, being the basic material to present. The sixth task of catechesis (introduction to mission) is connected with acquiring the basic skills in interpretation of biblical texts, so that St. John Chrysostom’s competences can serve as an example.