The homily

Abstract

The term generally means 'intercourse', namely an interchange of thoughts and feelings by words. In Xenophon it is used to indicate the instruction given by a philosopher to his pupils during familiar conversation, and in this meaning it has passed into Christian usage. The first Christian writer who probably first used the term in this meaning is Origen: the talks on select chapters or passages of the Bible, which Origen delivered in liturgical assemblies have come down to us under the title; if Origen himself has given them this title, he must have derived it from the schools of philosophy. The nature of Origen's word is that of a familiar talk to impart spiritual edification: the author's intention is mainly the care of souls, the conversational tone is predominant, there is no trace of rhetorical elaboration, and the outline disposition and external form are simple.