Is there contradiction between John Chrysostom and John Damascus in regard to the interpretation of Matthew 24:27; Luke 17:24 according to the catholic and orthodox churches? What can be said, about it and are there additional writings that has to be taken in consideration? The most prominent explanation about the prayer towards the East today is that Christ will come from the East and this verse will be pointed to - **Matthew 24:27** that is equivalent to **Luke 17:24**. But it seems that this believe, may be of later time, maybe popularized by John Damascus? Comparing the interpretations of John Chrysostom on **Matthew 24:27** with what John Damascus said about the verse, at first sight there seems to be contradiction and John Chrysostom seems that does not mention that Christ will come from East, but that at the same time everywhere. Neither do Basil, Gregory of Nysa, Cyril of Jerusalem, Origen, Tertullian, Clement of Alexandria mention that the reason for praying towards the East is that Christ will come form the East, at least it is not mentioned by them, when writing about the reason for the prayer towards the East or the similar practice. --------------------------------------------- **John Chrysostom on Matthew 24:27** > Having told them how Antichrist comes, as, for instance, that it will > be in a place; He says how Himself also comes. How then does He > Himself come? As the lightning comes out of the east, and shines even > unto the west, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be. For > wheresoever the carcass is, there also will the eagles be gathered > together. Matthew 24:27-28 > > How then shines the lightning? It needs not one to talk of it, it > needs not a herald, but even to them that sit in houses, and to them > in chambers **it shows itself in an instant of time throughout the whole > world. So shall that coming be, showing itself at once everywhere** by > reason of the shining forth of His glory. But He mentions also another > sign, where the carcass is, there also shall the eagles be; meaning > the multitude of the angels, of the martyrs, of all the saints..” > https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/200176.htm --------------------------------------------------------- **John Damascus on Matthew 24:27 - Chapter 12. Concerning Worship towards the East.** > It is not without reason or by chance that we worship towards the > East. But seeing that we are composed of a visible and an invisible > nature, that is to say, of a nature partly of spirit and partly of > sense, we render also a twofold worship to the Creator; > >............ > > **And when He was received again into Heaven He was borne towards the > East**, and thus His apostles worship Him, and **thus He will come again > in the way in which they beheld Him going towards Heaven Acts 1:11;** **as > the Lord Himself said, As the lightning comes out of the East and > shines even unto the West, so also shall the coming of the Son of Man > be Matthew 24:27**. > > **So, then, in expectation of His coming we worship towards the East.** > **But this tradition of the apostles is unwritten.** For much that has > been handed down to us by tradition is unwritten. > > > **An Exposition of the Orthodox Faith (John of Damascus) > Book IV - > Chapter 12. Concerning Worship towards the East.** > https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/33044.htm ------------------------------------ **The Gospel according to Luke:** > **Luke 17:24** **For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven;** so shall > also the Son of man be in his day. -------------------------------------------- **The Gospel according to Matthew:** > **Matthew 24:27** > **For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west;** so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. --------------------------------------- Please let me know if I miss something. If you know more sources from ancient church fathers let me know. Thanks in advance.