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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
John Chrysostom
"The elder women as mothers, the younger men as brethren; the younger women as sisters, with all purity." Rebuke is in its own nature offensive, particularly when it is addressed to an old man, and when it proceeds from a young man too, there is a threefold show of forwardness. By the manner and the mildness of it, therefore, he would soften it. For it is possible to reprove without offense, if one will only make a point of this: it requires great discretion, but it may be done. …
Theophylact of Ohrid
Since reproof is hard to bear, especially when a young man reproves an old one—then it becomes triply reckless—therefore, he says, you should soften it with gentleness. Since this age is characterized by great boldness and does not tolerate reproofs, therefore, he says, one must soften them with condescension. Since conversations with young women give rise to suspicions, and yet a bishop must converse with them too, you, he says, must not only guard against sinful union, but must not give any occasion for suspicion either. …
Theonas of Alexandria
If the emperor visits her imperial majesty, or she him, then should ye also be most circumspect in eye and demeanour, and in all your words. Let her mark your mastery of yourselves and your modesty; and let her followers and attendants mark your demeanour; let them mark it and admire it, and by reason thereof praise Jesus Christ our Lord in you.
The Epistle of Theonas, Bishop of Alexandria, to Lucianus, the Chief Chamberlain ↗
Western Saints
Thomas Aquinas
On the part of women, there is a difference of ages, because old women, as mothers, especially those who are not young: honor widows (1 Tim 5:3); young women, as sisters, with the love of charity. And this in all chastity; because spiritual love toward women soon degenerates into carnal. Therefore, in matters pertaining to young women, chastity must be applied; that is why the Apostle adds, in all chastity. Wherefore Pope Leo writing to them, says: beloved in Christ; but to men he simply says: beloved sons.
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