Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Mark 13:25

Eastern Fathers

Theophylact of Ohrid

But after the coming of Antichrist, the frame of the world shall be altered and changed, for the stars shall be obscured on account of the abundance of the brightness of Christ. Wherefore it goes on: But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light; and the stars of heaven shall fall. That is, the Angelic virtues shall be astonished, seeing that such great things are done, and that their fellow-servants are judged.

Catena Aurea by Aquinas ↗

Western Saints

Augustine of Hippo

When impious persecutors rage beyond measure, and when the fortune of this world seems to smile upon them and fear leaves them and they say: "Peace and security," then the stars shall fall from heaven and the powers of heaven shall be moved, when many who seemed to shine brilliantly with grace will yield to the persecutors and will fall, and even the strongest of the faithful will be shaken.

LETTER 199, To HESYCHIUS 39 ↗

Gregory the Dialogist

We say these things, dearly beloved brethren, so that your minds may be awakened to the pursuit of caution, lest they grow sluggish through security, lest they become feeble through ignorance, but that fear may always stir them and solicitude strengthen them in good work. …

Forty Gospel Homilies, Homily 1 ↗

Bede

And the powers that are in the heavens will be moved. Is it any wonder that humans, who are earthly by nature and sense, are perturbed at this judgment, at the sight of which even the powers of the heavens, that is, the angelic powers, tremble? Blessed Job also attests to this, saying, "The pillars of heaven tremble, and are astonished at his reproof" (Job XXVI). What will the tablets do, then, when the pillars tremble? What will the twig of the desert endure, when the cedar of paradise is shaken?

On the Gospel of Mark ↗