The aim of this article is to present the menu of early Christian monks in the context of the findings of Greek and Roman medicine in the field of dietetics. It draws from the passages of Historia religiosa by Theodoret of Cyrus about the consumption of dates and figs by Syrian ascetics. Both species of fruit did not comprise the basis of the monks’ limited diet. Figs and dates were treated as additional food by them, which they ate rarely and in small quantities. According to Theodoret, they did so especially when their bodies were weakened, during long and exhausting fasts. According to modern dietetics, this was justified as both figs and dates are calorie- and nutrientrich foods, which consumed even in small amounts can significantly supplement an adult’s daily balance in this regard. The authors of ancient and medical texts stemming from the tradition of Antiquity (Galen, Oribasius, Antimus, Aëtius of Amida, Paul of Aegina and others) also drew attention to the nutritious quality of dates and figs, in addition to numerous others health-promoting properties (especially in the context of the latter species). However, they further noted that excessive consumption of both fruits could lead to some health problems. In the context of these findings, occasional consumption of dates and figs by Syrian ascetics appears justified, as they could provide their weakened bodies with food of high energy value and nutritious content, whose small amount – and, therefore, fitting in the ideal of mortification – would suffice to improve their health condition.
The considerations allow us to say that ancient literature (even in philosophical sphere) was important for the Church writers not only by its rhetorical function, but also by the historical one to give a full and complete view of ancient culture as well as various myths and superstitions accepted by well educated pagan groups of the late Roman Empire. The discussed questions should be more particularly analyzed using Greek-language editions and modem historical literature. The works of Theodoret can also answer other questions raised by historians.
La lettera di Teodoreto rivolta al Papa Leone, chiamato il Grande, e un apedado. Il vescovo di Ciro, quando fu condannato durante il sinodo nel Efesio nell’Anno 449, fu costretto a trovare un apoggio ecclesiale e teologico. Per questo Teodoreto di Ciro nella sua corrispondenza di quell periodo parla spesso di approvazione della decisione dogmatica e ecclesiastica da parte di Leone presa nei confronti del monofisitismo ed esplicata nel Tomos ad Flavianum. Argomentazione esibita, il modo nel quale Teodoreto prese quella decisione, danno la possibilita di capire chi era - per lui - il vescovo di Roma, quale era il suo posto specifico e privilegiato nella Chiesa, e anche quale era la missione del Succesore di Pietro secondo l'insegnamento del Signore.
“You set charity in order in me” (Song 2:4, LXX) is one of the most fundamental biblical texts for the concept of the ordo caritatis. The Author seeks to examine how this text was read in the East and West, analysing the commentary of three Greek authors (Origen, Gregory of Nyssa and Theodoret of Cyrus), and three Latin authors (Augustine of Hippo, John Cassian and Apponius). There commentaries, he notes, agree with one another for the most part, and refer more or less to Origen’s exegesis of this verse. However, some differences can be noted. The Eastern Fathers, for example, hold that, in the order of charity, the criterion of merit is more important than the criterion of blood relationship; that is to say, the greater love is to be shown to those who have been born in Christ (cf. 1Cor 4:15) over those born of the flesh. Only the Eastern Fathers explore what the ordo caritatis means also in relation to one’s enemies. The Western Fathers, for their part, tend to underline the moral aspect of the ordo caritatis, insofar as upholding that order is virtue, while infringing it is sin. In this regard, a casuistic approach can occur in their commentary more frequently than in those of the Eastern Fathers. The novelty of the commentaries of the Western Fathers is also found in their reflection on the ordo caritatis within the Holy Trinity, as well as the manner in which they expand the embrace of this order to other categories of people: friends, fellow citizens, strangers. Some of the Western Fathers (Apponius) apply the ordo caritatis not only to people but also to works of mercy, while others (Augustine) bring out the aesthetic element in the ordo caritatis, noting that the effect of order of any kind, including the order of charity, is beauty.
The paper analyses the reports regarding money, which appear in the Historia religiosa writen by Theodoret of Cyrus. Historia religiosa, on the one hand, presents the life of the Syrian monks, and the other hand depicts the realities of everyday life of the inhabitants of the collapsed provinces of the Roman East at the turn of the fourth and fifth century. On this occasion, we also find in Historia religiosa numerous references to the role of money in everyday life. In the work of Theodoret money appears in several contexts: as an important element of trade on the market, as taxes, as a ransom paid for releasing captives but also as a money in welfare activities (amounts of money donated to charity). Unfortunately, in Historia religiosa, we didn’t found any information about the prices and wages. The analyzed reports, despite a certain lack of precision, are a valuable sources of knowledge. They depicts everyday life in eastern provinces, “stories” unknown to the “great history”, allowing for a reconstruction of social and economic history of the later Roman Empire.
The article presents a particular phase in the evolution of Christian asceticism, as exemplified by the monastic-ascetic milieu of Syrian Antioch. The writings of John Chrysostom, Theodoret of Cyprus and Libanius, which all refer to ascetic and monastic life in Antioch and its environs in the second half of the fourth century, are examined. These analyses allow us to identify three types among Antiochian ascetics. First group described included lay inhabitants of Antioch, both male and female, who endeavored to conduct a deeper spiritual life; this group included also persons practicing syneisaktism – a specific mode of ascetic life in which female virgins consecrated to God lived together with men (especially clergy) practicing ascesis. The second group consisted of rustic ascetics, to wit both lay and clergy inhabitants of villages around Antioch who conduced an ascetic lifestyle. The third group were those ascetics who observed monastic (or semi-monastic) life in the Antiochian mountains, especially on Mount Silpios. Monks were held in considerably high esteem, enjoying great respect among the inhabitants of Antioch. This resulted in their occasionally ignoring the rules of detachment from the world and of solitary life, as they entertained visitors or guests and – for serious reasons (e.g. during the trial of inhabitants of Antioch following the tax rebellion in 387) – visited the city. Our analysis thus depicts Antioch and its vicinity as a center of ascetic and monastic life. The clear-cut conclusion that emerges is that pre-monastic and monastic forms of ascetic life both existed in Antioch in the second half of the fourth century.
The article focuses on the Theodoret of Cyrrhus, a little known in the Polish Patrology Syrian Church’s Father, who in his book “Healing Hellenic Diseases” created an original apologetic method. It consisted in the presentation of reason – rational thinking as a natural way to faith, in order to convince the educated representatives of Greek culture to Christianity. Theodoret, who had classical Greek education and experience of strict monastic life in the Syrian form of asceticism was able to combine both of these realitiesto indicate Christianity as a true philosophy (fullness of knowledge) and the monk as the ideal of a philosopher. The main method of Theodoret was to evidence the rationality of Christianity by creating demands for the rationality of science. He made this by alluding to the thoughts and opinions of the authorities recognized in Greek culture. In modern time this method could become the way to convince all rational world to accept the Christian teaching and consequently to open to the fullness of the truth of being - Jesus Christ.
PL
Artykuł skupia się na mało znanym w środowisku polskim syryjskim Ojcu Kościoła Teodorecie z Cyru, który w swoim dziele Leczenie chorób hellenizmu stworzył oryginalną metodę apologetyczną. Polegała ona na przedstawieniu rozumu, racjonalnego myślenia jako naturalnej drogi do wiary, by w ten sposób przekonać do chrześcijaństwa wykształconych przedstawicieli kultury greckiej. Posiadając zarówno klasyczne greckie wykształcenie, jak i doświadczenie życia mniszego w syryjskiej formie ascezy, potrafił połączyć obie te rzeczywistości wskazując na chrześcijaństwo jako prawdziwą filozofię (pełnię poznania) oraz na micha jako ideał filozofa. Główną metodą Teodoreta jest uzasadnienie racjonalności chrześcijaństwa polegające na stworzeniu kryteriów rozumności nauki, zgodnie z myślą i poglądami uznanych w kulturze greckiej autorytetów. Metoda ta mogłaby stać się podstawą pod wspólne dla wszystkich chrześcijan działanie, by współczesny racjonalny świat ponownie otworzył się na pełnię prawdy bytu – Jezusa Chrystusa.
Prayer was a basic goal of the lives of Christian monks. Historia religiosa by Theodoretus of Cyrus conveys a lot of valuable information on the subject of prayer of Syrian ascetics. The bishop of Cyrus used the notion of prayed to refer to any kind of requests and begging or thanksgiving and admiration. Theodoretus recorded particularly numerous examples of recoveries, which occurred by dint of intercessive prayer of ascetics. Monks prayed at different times of a day and in various postures (standing, lying or kneeling), they were also familiar with many kinds of prayer and addressed God with varied intentions. Historia religiosa informs us as well about gestures that accompanied prayers, such as bows, raising arms and eyes to the sky and places where it could be said. An important issue discussed by Theodoretus was the time of praying. In Historia religiosa we can find references to the ideal of incessant prayer and to morning and evening prayers typical for Christians. The aim of prayer was to help ascetics control their bodily needs, it drew the mind of an ascetic towards God, tearing them, at the same time, from worldly issues. Prayer was also a reflection of monk’s faith, since through it, they worshipped God, referred to him their requests and thanksgiving.
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