Last updated: February 2009
Research Interests
Re-reading of the sources and deconstruction of the major myths and assumptions concerning John Chrysostom and his biography; John as preacher; social and religious history of Syrian Antioch in the fourth to thirteenth centuries; social and religious history of Constantinople in the fourth to tenth centuries; John Chrysostom’s audience; the cult of the saints and martyrs; the empress Eudoxia (wife of Arcadius); the sequence and chronology of John’s homiletic corpus; poverty and welfare in late antiquity; episcopal crisis management.
Development of Chrysostom web site, containing research resources, including a comprehensive bibliography of scholarship in the field of Chrysostom Studies.
Preparation of text edition of select martyr homilies authored by John Chrysostom; preparation of introduction and notes to new text edition by Guillaume Bady of the 15 novae homiliae (CPG 4441) for Sources Chrétiennes; annotated translation of the letters of John Chrysostom, and new translation of the homilies De Lazaro and miscellaneous homilies on NT lections.
International Mariology Project
Editorial positions
2008-Present Editorial Board, Acta Patristica et Byzantina, Pretoria, South Africa.
2006-Present Editorial Board, Writings from the Greco-Roman World, published by Society of Biblical Literature; specialist editor for the Chrysostom on the New Testament subseries.
Books
7. W. Mayer, P. Allen and L. Cross (eds), Prayer and Spirituality in the Early Church. 4. The Spiritual Life, Strathfield: St Pauls Publications, 2006.
6. W. Mayer (with B. Neil), St John Chrysostom. The Cult of the Saints, New York: St Vladimir's Seminary Press, 2006. (pp.280, ISBN 0-88141-302-X).
5. W. Mayer, The Homilies of St John Chrysostom – Provenance. Reshaping the foundations (Orientalia Christiana Analecta 273), Rome: Pontificium Institutum Orientalium Studiorum, 2005.
4. W. Mayer and S. Trzcionka (eds), Feast, Fast or Famine: Food and Drink in Byzantium (Byzantina Australiensia 15), Brisbane: Australian Association for Byzantine Studies, 2005.
3. J. Leemans, W. Mayer, P. Allen and B. Dehandschutter, ‘Let us Die that we may Live’: Greek Homilies on Christian Martyrs from Asia Minor, Palestine and Syria (c. 350-c. 450 AD), London: Routledge, 2003.
2. W. Mayer and P. Allen, John Chrysostom (The Early Church Fathers), London: Routledge, 2000.
1. P. Allen, W. Mayer and L. Cross (eds), Prayer and Spirituality in the Early Church, vol. 2, Brisbane: Centre for Early Christian Studies, 1999.
Articles
38. W. Mayer, Chapter 1, “Approaching Late Antiquity”, in P. Rousseau (ed.), Blackwell Companion to Late Antiquity, Oxford: Blackwell Publishers, 2009, pp. 1-13.
37. -, “John Chrysostom’s use of the parable of Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-31)”, Scrinium. Revue de patrologie, d'hagiographie critique et d'histoire ecclésiastique 4 (2008) 45-59
36. -, “Poverty and generosity towards the poor in the time of John Chrysostom”, in S. Holman (ed.), Wealth and Poverty in Early Church and Society (Holy Cross Studies in Patristic Theology and History 1), Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2008, 140-158.
35. -, Chapter 27, “Homiletics”, in S. Ashbrook Harvey and D. Hunter (eds), Oxford Handbook of Early Christian Studies. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2008, 565-583.
34. -, “ The making of a saint. John Chrysostom in early historiography”, in: M. Wallraff, u. R. Brändle (hrsg), Chrysostomosbilder in 1600 Jahren: Facetten der Wirkungsgeschichte eines Kirchenvaters (Arbeiten zur Kirchengeschichte 105), Berlin-New York: Walter de Gruyter, 2008, 39-59.
33. W. Mayer, “The sequence and provenance of John Chrysostom’s homilies In illud: Si esurierit inimicus (CPG 4375), De mutatione nominum (CPG 4372) and In principium Actorum (CPG 4371)”, Augustinianum 46 (2006) 169-186.
32. -, “What does it mean to say that John Chrysostom was a monk?”, Studia Patristica 41 (2006) 451-455.
31. -, “Les homélies de Jean Chrysostome: Problèmes concernant la provenance, l’ordre et la datation”, Revue des Etudes Augustiniennes et Patristiques 52 (2006) 327-351.
30. -, “Poverty and society in the world of John Chrysostom”, in L. Lavan, W. Bowden, A. Gutteridge and C. Machado (eds), Social and Political Archaeology in Late Antiquity, Late Antique Archaeology 3, Leiden: Brill, 2006, 465-484.
29. -, “John Chrysostom: Deconstructing the construction of an exile”, in T.K. Kuhn u. E. Stegemann (hrsg.), «Was von Anfang an war» Neutestamentliche und kirchengeschichtliche Aufsätze Rudolf Brändle gewidment anlässlich seiner Emeritierung am 30. September 2006 (= Theologische Zeitschrift 62/2), Basel, 2006, pp. 248-258.
28. -, “Doing violence to the image of an empress: The destruction of Eudoxia’s reputation”, in H. Drake (ed.), Violence in Late Antiquity. Perceptions and Practices, Aldershot: Ashgate Publishing Ltd, 2006, pp. 205-213.
27. -, “Progress in the field of Chrysostom studies (1984-2004)”, in Giovanni Crisostomo: Oriente e Occidente tra IV e V secolo, XXXIII Incontro di Studiosi dell’Antichità Cristiana, Augustinianum 6-8 maggio 2004, Roma (Studia Ephemeridis Augustinianum 93), Roma: Institutum Patristicum Augustinianum, 2005, 9-35.
26. D. Corbett and W. Mayer, “The Chrysostom Knowledge Base: An ontology of historical interactions”, Lecture Notes in Computer Science 3290 (2004) 724-734.
25. -, “Concept Type Hierarchy as Ontology: An example historical knowledge base”, Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence 3339 (2004) 259-271.
24. W. Mayer, “John Chrysostom as bishop: the view from Antioch”, Journal of Ecclesiastical History 55 (2004) 455-466.
23. -, “Antioch and the West in Late Antiquity”, Byzantinoslavica 61 (2003) 5-32.
22. -, art., “Aelia Eudoxia (wife of Arcadius)”, in De Imperatoribus Romanis: An on-line encyclopedia (www.roman-emperors.org, 2002).
21. -, “Patronage, Pastoral Care and the Role of the Bishop at Antioch”, Vigiliae Christianae 55 (2001) 58-70.
20. -, “At Constantinople, how often did John Chrysostom preach? Addressing assumptions about the workload of a bishop”, Sacris Erudiri 40 (2001) 83-105.
19. -, “The Homily as Historical Document: Some Problems in Relation to John Chrysostom”, Lutheran Theological Journal 35 (2001) 17-22.
18. P. Allen and W. Mayer, “Through a Bishop’s Eyes: Towards a definition of pastoral care in late antiquity”, Augustinianum 40 (2000) 345-397.
17. -, “John Chrysostom”, in P. Esler (ed.), The Early Christian World, 2 vols, London: Routledge, 2000, 1128-1150.
16. W. Mayer, “Who came to hear John Chrysostom preach? Recovering a Late Fourth-Century Preacher's Audience”, Ephemerides Theologicae Lovanienses 76 (2000) 73-87.
15. -, “Cathedral Church or Cathedral Churches? The Situation at Constantinople (c.360-404 AD)”, Orientalia Christiana Periodica 66 (2000) 49-68.
14. -, “Constantinopolitan Women in Chrysostom's Circle”, Vigiliae Christianae 53 (1999) 265-288.
13. -, “Female Participation and the Late Fourth-Century Preacher's Audience”, Augustinianum 39 (1999) 139-147.
12. -, “'Les homélies de s. Jean Chrysostome en juillet 399'. A second look at Pargoire's sequence and the chronology of the Novae homiliae (CPG 4441)”, Byzantinoslavica 60/2 (1999) 273-303.
11. -, “The Sea made Holy. The liturgical function of the waters surrounding Constantinople”, Ephemerides Liturgicae 112 (1998) 459-468.
10. -, “Monasticism at Antioch and Constantinople in the Late Fourth Century. A case of exclusivity or diversity?”, in P. Allen, R. Canning, L. Cross with J.B. Caiger (eds), Prayer and Spirituality in the Early Church I, Brisbane: Centre for Early Christian Studies, 1998, 275-288.
9. -, “John Chrysostom: Extraordinary Preacher, Ordinary Audience”, in P. Allen and M. Cunningham (eds), Preacher and Audience. Studies in Early Christian and Byzantine Homiletics, Leiden: Brill, 1998, 105-137.
8. P. Allen and W. Mayer, “Traditions of Constantinopolitan Preaching: Towards a New Assessment of Where Chrysostom Preached What”, Byzantinische ForschungenXXIV (1997) 93-114.
7. W. Mayer, “John Chrysostom and His Audiences. Distinguishing different congregations at Antioch and Constantinople”, Studia Patristica 31 (1997) 70-75.
6. -, “The dynamics of liturgical space. Aspects of the interaction between John Chrysostom and his audiences”, Ephemerides Liturgicae 111 (1997) 104-115.
5. -, “Liturgical Tradition or Traditions? A Late Fourth Century Perspective”, Lutheran Theological Journal 31 (1997) 20-30.
4. P. Allen and W. Mayer, “Chrysostom and the Preaching of Homilies in Series: A Re-examination of the Fifteen Homilies In epistulam ad Philippenses (CPG 4432)”, Vigiliae Christianae 49 (1995) 270-289.
3. -, “The Thirty-Four Homilies on Hebrews: The Last Series Delivered by Chrysostom in Constantinople?”, Byzantion 65 (1995) 309-348.
2. -, “Chrysostom and the Preaching of Homilies in Series: A New Approach to the Twelve Homilies In epistulam ad Colossenses (CPG 4433)”, Orientalia Christiana Periodica 60 (1994) 21-39.
1.-, “Computer and Homily: Accessing the Everyday Life of Early Christians”, Vigiliae Christianae 47 (1993) 260-280.
Instrumenta Studiorum
1. Bibliography of scholarship in the field of Chrysostom studies (including ps. Chrysostomica, but excluding the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom), www.cecs.acu.edu.au (partially annotated, updated twice yearly).
Reviews
16. Review of M. Wallraff (ed.) e C. Ricci (trad.), Oratio funebris in laudem sancti Iohannis Chrysostomi (Ps.-Martyrius Antiochenus, BHG 871, CPG 6517) (Quaderni della Rivista di Bizantinistica 12), Spoleto: Fondazione Centro Italiano di Studi sull'Alto Medioevo, 2007, in Jahrbuch für Antike und Christentum. 12 (2008) 360-362.
15. Review of L. Brubaker and K. Linardou (eds), Eat, Drink and be Merry (Luke 12:19) – Food and Wine in Byzantium. Papers of the 37th Annual Spring Symposium of Byzantine Studies, in Honour of Professor A.A.M. Bryer (Society for the Promotion of Byzantine Studies 13), Aldershot: Ashgate Variorum, 2007, in The Medieval Review 2008 (08.10.03)
14. Review of F. Millar, A Greek Roman Empire. Power and Belief under Theodosius II (408-450) (Sather Classical Lectures 64), Berkeley-Los Angeles-London: University of California Press, 2006, in The Catholic Historical Review 94 (2008) 277-279.
13. Review of S. Ashbrook Harvey, Scenting Salvation. Ancient Christianity and the Olfactory Imagination (The Transformation of the Classical Heritage XLII), Berkeley-Los Angeles-London: University of California Press, 2006, in Journal of Early Christian Studies 15 (2007) 574-576.
12. Review of J.G. Mueller, L’Ancien Testament dans l’ecclésiologie des pères. Une lecture des Constitutions Apostoliques (Turnhout: Brepols, 2004), in Theological Studies 67 (2006) 190-192.
11. Review of A.M. Hartney, John Chrysostom and the Transformation of the City (London: Duckworth, 2004), in The Classical Review 56 (2006) 654-655.
10. Review of F.R. Trombley and J.W. Watt, The Chronicle of Pseudo-Joshua the Stylite, Translated Texts for Historians 32 (Liverpool: Liverpool University Press, 2000) in Journal of Religious History 27 (2003) 89-90.
9. Review of R.C Hill, Theodoret of Cyrus. Commentary on the Psalms 1-72, FOTC, Catholic University of America Press, Washington, DC 2000, in Australian Theological Book Reviewer August 2003 (www.atbr.openbook.com.au).
8. Review of N. Russell, Cyril of Alexandria, The Early Church Fathers (Routledge: London 2000), in Journal of Religious History 26 (2002) 99-100.
7. Review of B. Leyerle, Theatrical Shows and Ascetic Lives. John Chrysostom's Attack on Spiritual Marriage (University of California Press: Berkeley-Los Angeles-London 2001), Journal of Early Christian Studies 10 (2002) 406-408.
6. Review of M. Mitchell, The Heavenly Trumpet. John Chrysostom and the Art of Pauline Interpretation (Mohr Siebeck: Tübingen 2000), Journal of Early Christian Studies 10 (2002) 408-409.
5. Review of B. Leyerle, Theatrical Shows and Ascetic Lives. John Chrysostom's Attack on Spiritual Marriage (University of California Press: Berkeley-Los Angeles-London 2001), Journal of Roman Studies 92 (2002) 266-267.
4. Review of M. Illert, Johannes Chrysostomus und das antiochenish-syrische Mönchtum. Studien zu Theologie, Rhetorik und Kirchenpolitik im antiochenischen Schrifttum des Johannes Chrysostomus (Zürich und Freiburg i. Br.: Pano Verlag, 2000), Sobornost 23 (2001) 86-88.
3. Review of W. Tabbernee, Montanist Inscriptions and Testimonia. Epigaphic Sources Illustrating the History of Montanism (North American Patristic Society. Patristic Monograph Series 16), Georgia: Mercer University Press, 1997, in Journal of Religious History 23 (1999) 356-357.
2. Review of St. John Chrysostom. On Repentance and Almsgiving, trans. by G.G. Christo (The Fathers of the Church 96), Washington, D.C.: The Catholic University of America Press 1998, in Journal of Early Christian Studies 7 (1999) 323-324.
1. Review of Golden Mouth. The Story of John Chrysostom - Ascetic, Preacher, Bishop, by J.N.D. Kelly (Duckworth, London 1995) in Sobornost, incorporating Eastern Churches Review 18:1 (1996) 79-82.
Forthcoming
Books
8. W. Mayer and P. Allen, The Churches of Syrian Antioch (300-638 CE) (Late Antique Culture and Religion), Peeters: Leuven.
9. P. Allen, B. Neil, and W. Mayer, Preaching Poverty in the Late Roman World: Perceptions and Realities (Arbeiten zur Kirchen- und Theologiegeschichte), Evangelische Verlagsanstalt: Leipzig.
Articles
39. -, art., “John Chrysostom”, in E. Farrugia (ed.), Dictionary of the Christian East = Dictionario enciclopedico del’Oriente cristiano, 2nd English ed., Rome: Istituto Pontificio Orientale.
40. -, “The Audience(s) for Patristic Social Teaching: A case study”, in J. Leemans, B. Matz and J. Verstraeten (eds), Patristic Social Ethics: Issues and Challenges (CUA Studies in Early Christianity), CUA Press, Washington, DC, forthcoming.
41. -, “Antioch and the intersection between religious factionalism, place and power”, in N. Lenski and A. Cain (eds), The Power of Religion in Late Antiquity, Aldershot: Ashgate.
42. “The Late Antique church at Qausîyeh reconsidered: Memory and martyr-burial in Syrian Antioch”, in J. Leemans (ed.), Persecution and Martyrdom in Late Antiquity: Festschrift in honour of Boudewijn Dehandschutter, Leuven, 2010.
43. art. “John Chrysostom”, in R. Bagnall et al. (eds), The Encylopedia of Ancient History, Oxford: Wiley-Blackwell.
Reviews
17. Review of J. Maxwell, Christianization and Communication in Late Antiquity: John Chrysostom and his congregation in Antioch, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006, in Phoenix. Journal of the Classical Association of Canada/Revue de la societé canadienne des études classiques.
18. Review of K. Ciggaar and M. Metcalf (eds), East and West in the Medieval Eastern Mediterranean I. Antioch from the Byzantine Reconquest until the End of the Crusader Principality. Acta of the congress held at Hernen Castle in May 2003 (Orientalia Lovaniensia Analecta 147), Leuven: Peeters, 2006, in Journal of the Australian Early Medieval Association 5 (2009).