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VRSZ
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Translation
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What the Fathers say
Eastern Fathers
Oecumenius
Each of the animals is associated with one of these elements: the lion with fire, due to the animal's warmth and spirited nature; the calf with the earth, because the calf's work is connected to the soil; the man with the air, as humans are celestial and transcendent beings due to the artfulness [λεπτότητα] of the mind; and the eagle with water, since birds originate from water. Around the throne of God are seen those deemed worthy of care and providence, signified through living beings, that is, those on earth.
Dionysius bar Salibi
The first living creature like a lion—By this he shows the kingdom and sovereignty of the lion who has arisen from the tribe of Judah; Matthew shows this. The second living creature like a calf—The bull signifies the priestly glory of Christ, of which Luke tells. The third living creature has the face of a man—He shows the passibility of the Son and the lowly condition of the Son of Man who was among men, of which Mark tells. …
Western Saints
Bede
And the first living creature was like a lion, etc. These living creatures are interpreted in various ways. But blessed Augustine, according to the order of this book, says that Matthew is understood in the lion, who narrates the royal lineage of Christ, who also conquered as the Lion of the tribe of Judah. For the cub of the lion is Judah (Gen. 49). And in whom, as a king, he is feared by a king, worshipped by the magi. …
Bonaventure
John says in the Apocalypse that the four living creatures stood around God's throne, and that the first had the face of a lion, the second that of an ox, the third that of a man, and the fourth that of an eagle: but he does not say that each one had four faces. While Ezechiel says that the living creatures "moved," John says that they "stood." Ezechiel says that the first living creature had the face of a man; John, that it had the face of a lion. Wherefore John seems to comprise the visions both of Isaiah and of Ezechiel. …
Alcuin of York
And the first living creature was like a lion: and the second living creature like a calf: and the third living creature, having the face, as it were, of a man: and the fourth living creature was like an eagle flying. We should ask the question of why John said that the first living creature was like a lion while Ezekiel says that the appearance of man was in the first animal. …
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