ALL SAINTS CELEBRATED IN JANUARY
Saints celebrated on the 3rd of January
SAINT ENOCH, PATRIARCH
Saint Henoch (Greek Enoch) was the father of Mathusala (Genesis 5:18 ff.). At the time of the birth of Mathusala Henoch was sixty-five years of age, "and all the days of Henoch were three hundred and sixty-five years" (Genesis 5:23).
Instead of the clause "and he died", added to the sketches concerning the other patriarchs, the text says of Henoch: "And he walked with God, and was seen no more: because God took him" (Genesis 5:24).
BY FAITH ENOCH WAS TRANSLATED
The inspired writer of Hebrews 11:5 adds: "By faith Henoch was translated, that he should not see death." Sirach 44:16 and 49:16 intimates the same truth about the patriarch. The Epistle of Saint Jude (14-15) shows us Henoch in the light of a prophet, announcing the judgement of God upon the ungodly.
Some writers have supposed that Saint Jude quoted these words from the so-called apocryphal Book of Henoch; but, since they do not fit into its context (Ethiopic), it is more reasonable to suppose that they were interpolated into the apocryphal book from the text of St Jude. The Apostle must have borrowed the words from Jewish tradition.
THE BOOK OF ENOCH
The BOOK OF ENOCH influenced not only later Jewish apocrypha, but has left its imprint on the New Testament and the works of the early Fathers. The Book of Henoch enjoyed a high esteem among them, mainly owing to the quotation in Jude. The so-called Epistle of Barnabas twice cites Henoch as Scripture.
Clement of Alexandria, Tertullian, Origen, and even St Augustine suppose the work to be a genuine one of the patriarch. But in the fourth century the Henoch writings lost credit and ceased to be quoted. After an allusion by an author of the beginning of the ninth century, they disappear from view.
Source: Catholic Encyclopedia, 1913
PRAYER:
Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the venerable feast of Saint Enoch may increase our devotion and promote our salvation. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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