This is a translation I am working on of the Commentary of Revelation written by Oecumenius in the 6th century. This is a project that I am doing for personal use, so feel free to use it or copy it, whatever you desire! I am doing my translation from the Greek text found here This will take some time to complete, but it will be continually updated as I go. The Scripture citations are mostly from the Douay-Rheims Version, some are my own. I am also laying out the commentary in a more user friendly format than how the Greek text is layed out, so that anyone looking for chapter and verse can quickly find the passage they are looking for. For any questions or comments please contact me here

Chapter 1

The Introduction of the theologian John written according to Oecumenius

"All Scripture is God-breathed and beneficial", as the sacred scholar said (2 Tim. 3:16). For by the Spirit everyone of those who preached the saving word were given wisdom; prophets, apostles, and evangelists. But the divine John was still holier than all the preachers and more spiritual than all the spiritual people, as he was reclined upon the breast of the Lord (John 13:25), and through his kisses he drew an abounding grace through the Spirit; and that is where he is also called the son of thunder (Mark 3:17). For he resounded under heaven with his godly teachings. But his present written work as it concerns the plain and smooth mysteries, could be justly considered to be the most mystical. For he does not speak to us concerning this particular time, but also concerning those which have come and the coming events. For this is his own complete prophecy, to lay hold of the three periods; For even those outside Christianity brought forward their seers who knew the things that are, and the things that will be and those that were before,(Hesiod's Theogony 38) they have, as I think, been despised by our prophets. For their soothsayers never had knowledge of everything, nor even the demons at work in them, so it was necessary for those attempting to interpret spiritual things to be spiritual and wise regarding divine things, since it is for spiritual things to be discerned by those who are spiritual (1 Cor 2:13) according to the divine apostle. But I am so far away from the working of the Spirit, and from the divine and highest wisdom; therefore it is with more haste than security that I prepare this operation; For into a malicious soul wisdom shall not enter; nor dwell in the body that is subject to sin(Wisdom 1:4), as Solomon and the truth declares.

Therefore I have preferred the exercise of disputing the thoughtless criticisms of it. But it is known, concerning the present writing, that some have said it is both spurious and not in the same class with the rest of Johns' writings. But I speak for it being genuine because of the refreshing words in which contain nothing that is not divine and worthy of the author. I also testify to it as genuine because of those who are considered to be Fathers of the Church have received and validated it. The wonderful Athansaius in the Exposition of the Canonical Books of Both the Old and New Testaments, beloved Basil in his short commentary Concerning the Son, Gregory the theologian in his book on the Coming of the Bishops, wisely Methodius in his book On the Resurrection, Cyril, great in deed and word in the 6th book of The Treatise in Spirit and Truth, also beloved Hippolytus, also in his Interpretation of Daniel. For it would not have been spoken of by these reliable fathers if there was anything suspicious and useless in it. It would also be possible to cite other fathers to give support to the book if I did not want to practice moderation for the wise. Now if, "A threefold cord is not quickly broken," according to Ecclesiastes 4:12, the six fold cord would be broken infrequently. Therefore, what does the holy disciple of Christ, glorying in his godly love, tell us about Revelation? We must therefore turn to the divine oracle and call for help from his intercession.