ACC ~ Revelation 17 v5

THE NATIONS REMAIN LOYAL TO THE ERRORS OF THEIR FOREFATHERS. OECUMENIUS: And there was written upon her forehead, as though inscribed upon a public monument, as I might put it, that she was “Babylon, the mother of harlots.” She is “Babylon” because of the terror and confusion in her and the persecutions of the saints—for the name Babylon means “confusion,” as we have said—and she is mother because of her fornication, that is, her apostasy from God. For how is she not mother and teacher who persecutes the gospel and those who preach it and persuades the nations to remain loyal to the error traditional to their forefathers? COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 17.1-5.

TRANSGRESSIONS LOATHSOME TO GOD. ANDREW OF CAESAREA: The writing on the forehead indicates the shamelessness of the fullness of sins and of the confusion of the heart. She is mother because for those cities ruled by her she is the teacher of their spiritual fornication, giving birth to transgressions that are loathsome to God. COMMENTARY ON THE APOCALYPSE 17.5.

THE WOMAN IS THE NURTURER OF VICES. BEDE: This corrupter is immediately shown in her very face to be the nurturer of vices. However, since she is recognized only by the wise mind, for she is dressed in precious clothing, he indicates that this name is that of a mystery. EXPLANATION OF THE APOCALYPSE 17.5.