E02743: A Greek Homily On the *Maccabees (pre-Christian Jewish martyrs of Antioch, S00303), misattributed to John Chrysostom, is preached during a festival, in the 5th c. or later. Of unknown provenance (perhaps Constantinople).

Pseudo-Chrysostom, Homily 3 on the Maccabees (CPG 4354; BHG 1010)

This homily is given before a crowd cramped in the church. The author states that he will skip the edifying part of the sermon, in order to proceed swiftly to the praise of the saints. He first refers to Eleazar, first martyr of the Old Testament and a prefiguration of the Apostle Peter. Then to the seven Maccabean brothers, but pressed by the crowd, he skips them too, in order to focus on their mother. She bravely witnessed the deaths of all her sons, and gave them up as an offering to God. She should be taken as an exemplar by certain people who complain for being required to offer some money for the church. We should imitate her and be ready to offer our souls, bodies, and belongings to God.