Fathers

Loading…

What the Fathers say

Revelation 8:3

Eastern Fathers

Oecumenius

The altar is said to be incense [λιβανωτὸν], as it receives the incense. When Christ appeared, as a kind of first fruits and precious offering, the prayers of the saints are presented to Him by the angels who oversee us. These prayers are naturally fragrant and become even more fragrant through the cooperation of the holy angels. Therefore, it has been said that much incense offerings was given to him. Indeed, it was given by God as a clear sign to entrust humans to the angels and to make their prayers welcome. …

Commentary on Revelation ↗

Western Saints

Bede

And he stood before the altar, having a golden censer. Clearly, he appeared in the sight of the Church, having become the censer, from which God received the odor of sweetness, and was propitiated towards the world. Another Edition has "Upon the altar," which means that He offered His golden censer, that is, His immaculate body conceived by the Holy Spirit, upon the altar of the cross to the Father for us.

Commentary on Revelation ↗