Fathers

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What the Fathers say

Revelation 17:5

Eastern Fathers

Oecumenius

And it is said to have been "written" also upon "her forehead", as one says in some inscription, who she was; and that it is "Babylon", the "mother of prostitutes", "Babylon" because of the turmoil and confusion in her and the persecutions of the saints; for confusion, as has been said, is signified by the name of Babylon; and "mother" of the fornication and apostasy from God. …

Commentary on Revelation ↗

Western Saints

Jerome

Nor does he want to openly say that the Roman empire must be destroyed, which those who rule it regard as eternal. Therefore, according to the Apocalypse of John, on the forehead of the purple-clad prostitute, the name of blasphemy is written, that is, the eternal Rome. For if he had openly and boldly said that the Antichrist would not come unless the Roman empire was first destroyed, it would have seemed like a just cause for persecution to then arise against the Church in the east.

Letter 121, Chapter 11 ↗

Bede

And on her forehead was a name written, Mystery, etc. This corruption is immediately shown on the very face to be the nurse of vices, but because it is discerned only by prudent reasoning, being most ornately adorned, it is indicated to be a mystical name.

Commentary on Revelation ↗