Genesis 1:19Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

When the Lord completed the adornment of the heavens with stars and established two magnificent lights, He concluded the day, declaring, "There was evening, and there was morning: the fourth day." Observe how He speaks of each day in this way, allowing the frequent reinforcement of the doctrine to root the divine truths deeply in our hearts. With these teachings inscribed upon our hearts, we should cast aside all negligence and diligently uphold sound beliefs, gently guiding those caught in the errors of Hellenism away from disturbing the divine order and toward the Creator, rather than bowing to creations made for our benefit and salvation. Let those immersed in false doctrines repeat them endlessly, while I firmly proclaim that everything was created for humanity.

In the account of creation, one may reference the commentary on Genesis 2:3, chapters 21-35.

If the term "days" refers solely to those defined by the sun rising and setting, then it could be argued that this day is not the fourth, but likely the first. It's conceivable that the sun began to rise at its inception and set when the other celestial bodies were brought into existence. However, those who understand that while we experience night, the sun may illuminate another part of the world, and conversely, that during our daytime, the sun casts its light elsewhere at night, will seek a deeper and more elevated interpretation of how we account for these days.

Against the Manichaeans - see Genesis 1:14.

This magnificent, ever-radiant sun symbolizes Divine goodness and acts as a faint reflection of the Supreme Good; it illuminates everything that can partake in its brilliance, overflowing with light as it broadcasts its rays across the universe. If anything fails to recognize this light, it is not due to any deficiency in the sun’s brilliance, but rather because those who do not endeavor to embrace the light are incapable of receiving it.

The fourth day symbolizes humanity's desire for illumination, representing the relationship between God, the Word, Wisdom, and mankind.

The significance of the truth is now made clear—this is why the fourth day is known as the quadrilateral, why we observe fasting until the ninth hour or the evening, or even continue our fast until the following day. This earthly realm is composed of four elements: fire, water, sky, and earth, which collectively form a tetrad. Additionally, the sun and moon divide the year into four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter, which also constitute a tetrad. To expand on this idea, one can note the four living creatures surrounding the throne of God, depicted in the four Gospels (Rev. 4:6-7), the four rivers that flow through the Garden of Eden (Gen.

On the fourth day, known as Wednesday, God created in the heavens two magnificent lights, the sun and the moon, along with the stars.

With the incarnation of the Son of God, the Spiritual Sun of the world emerged, causing the new Church to reflect His light like the moon. The apostles and teachers of Christianity, along with the entire Church, illuminated the darkness of paganism as the moon and stars shine in the night. If humanity remains attentive to the Word of the Lord that speaks to them, the light of faith in the divine nature of their soul becomes a sun, brightening its most profound depths, warming and bringing it to life. This faith also generates personal illuminations—revelations and visions—that, akin to stars, cast rays into the profound darkness of ignorance.

God observed that all He created was good. Therefore, the arrangement of the celestial bodies is inherently good, as we can assess their value based on the benefits they provide to the earth and its inhabitants, functioning as indicators and tools for measuring times, days, and years. However, when we consider the entirety of the heavenly hosts, the earth appears too small and insignificant to assess their magnificence in relation to it. While we may not comprehend their composition, the countless numbers, vast expanses, great distances between them, and the orderly movement of the planets around the sun serve as compelling testimony to the greatness of the Creator. Indeed, “the heavens declare the glory of God.” The account of the fifth day of creation continues from here.