[4011] A demonstrates, or to speak more strictly, one and the same as the Son with the Father, both in substance and in operations. For by nature, substance does not exist without operations, nor operations without substance. Furthermore, the idea of substance is not without proof; they confirm it by looking at the substance, for no one has ever seen the substance of God, but we confirm the substance in like manner through the operations.
SCHOLIUM OF SOPHRONIUS
[4011] B Observe the consistency confirmed among these things by him: It is not permitted to separate operations from substance (unless you make it nothing similar, by positing it as inert) any more than their elements from the substance. If, therefore, any operation is a certain manifestation of substance—as those skilled in these matters have demonstrated—who can call nature immobile, or who can conceive of an inert activity, when he ought to conceive of the active manifestation of every natural act? Thus, what can never be affirmed [of others] would be seen only in Christ; it would be confirmed by Him alone, that is, rather, it would be established, and without it, it would not be. Since operations are with substances, it is therefore necessary to consider both, because through confusion, the virtues which have been erred are destroyed. For he would be foolish who would accept the substance and deny the motion to it.SPURIA
OF SOPHRONIUS, PATRIARCH OF JERUSALEM, ON THE LABORS, STRUGGLES, AND PILGRIMAGES OF SS. PETER AND PAUL
(Bibliotheca Patrum, Vol. V, 1123. — from the Master of the Sacred Palace.)Peter was a Hebrew by birth, dwelling in the Galilee of Palestine; his homeland was Bethsaida. He had as a compatriot Simeon the Just, who held Christ in his arms. Peter’s father was Jonas, in the times of Hyrcanus, who lost his ears along with his kingdom (at the instigation of his brother). Andrew was Peter’s brother; and Peter took a wife, the daughter of Aristobulus, brother of the blessed apostle Barnabas, from whom he received a son and a daughter. Andrew, leading a celibate life, became a disciple of the Lord’s Forerunner. [4012] Peter was occupied with business, as one who provided for his wife, his family, and the old age of his father. By Christ, Peter is named for the firmness of his mind; he walks upon the waves of the sea as if incorporeal; he is an inspector of the Lord’s transfiguration, [and] hears the first voice; C he is instructed not to be exasperated against sinners: and to him the care of the world is entrusted, and the keys of the heavenly treasures are handed over. He is established above the college of the apostles; he suffices for the apostolate in the place of Matthias. Not only by the magnitude of his miracles, but also by the efficacy of his words, he was drawing those who heard him to the faith of Christ, having a wife, and he established a church of 10,000 men. With a single rebuke he strikes down Ananias and his wife. In Lydda he heals Aeneas the paralytic. In Joppa he raises Dorcas. In Caesarea he calls the centurion Cornelius with all his household to Christ, baptizes them, and fills them with the Holy Spirit. He sees a linen sheet, so that he may open the door of the faith through revelation. By Herod Agrippa, he was bound with two chains and delivered D [to] the guard of soldiers, consigned to prison...