Folia Theologica et Canonica 6. 28/20 (2017)
SACRA THEOLOGIA - László Perendy, The application of the term ’brother/sister’ in early Christianity
46 LÁSZLÓ PERENDY admits that áóeÁcpoíis amply used in sermons in the later centuries (in vocative case). I think that we can interpret these undeniable changes in the usage of these expressions if we distinguish between two types of communication: ad intra all members of the church are regarded brothers/sisters, as demonstrated by the continuous usage in the liturgy. However, ad extra, i.e. in the dialogue with the often hostile pagan environment using this concept too often would have been counterproductive, as I tried to demonstrate above. During the periods of persecution the defence against the slanderous gossips, the more and more widespread usage of the term ‘Christian’ (especially confessing the faith in Christ in court), and the decline of Stoic ethics (which advocated universal brotherhood of all human beings) were all decisive factors which altogether had the effect that the temi ‘brothers/sisters’ was used less and less from the 3rd century on. To sum up, we cannot but agree with Michel Dujarier that Harnack’s statements about the causes of this change in the usage of àSeXtpôç do not have sound foundations.
