04 March 2006

Patristic Quote for the Day

For just as irrigated plants naturally grow in size, so too our faith when embattled blooms all the more, and when harassed multiplies. Indeed, irrigating with water doesn't usually make orchards thrive in the same way as the martyrs' blood naturally waters the Churches. - St. John Chrysostom, *On Saints Juventius and Maximinus* par. 2

2 comments:

Chaz said...

This reminds me of the famous quotation by Tertullian:

The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.

William Weedon said...

Yes, I thought the same thing; though I suppose here it is the blood of the martyrs that WATERS the seed of the faith and makes it grow strong and healthy.