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Pure Gold

Not long ago, I mentioned a handful of modern English poems about the Fathers and asked if anyone knew others. Of course, Maureen of Aliens in This World knew enough to fill an anthology and, over the months, has filled the combox with titles. Now she has herself produced a Rime of the Ancient Preacher, in Goldtongue: A Patristic Filk, sung to the tune of Goldfinger. (I find that it works as a rap as well.) It’s about John Chrysostom, of course, whose moniker means “Golden Mouth.” The rhyming is explosive: “For the Golden Horn’s lord knows his hyssop / Is a kiss-up’s death / From Bishop Goldtongue”

Maureen also manages the free audio-book site, Maria Lectrix, which now has 394 patristic titles!

I’m a fan. If you’re still using paper, though, you should read J.N.D. Kelly’s Golden Mouth: The Story of John Chrysostom-Ascetic, Preacher, Bishop.