Richard Bishop: Severian of Gabala’s In sanctam Pentecosten (CPG 4211)

This presentation uncovers hitherto unremarked evidence that Severian of Gabala’s In sanctam Pentecosten (CPG 4211; PG 63:933-938) was delivered in the presence of the emperor Arcadius. After some attention to the sermon’s textual tradition and original transcription, the presentation interprets the sermon in light of the circumstances of its delivery, examines the evidence the sermon provides for Severian’s relationship to the imperial court, and explores the possibility that Severian delivered this sermon on the occasion underlying the partly authentic Chrysostomic text In Pentecosten, sermo 1 (CPG 4536; PG 52:803-808).