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Holy Trinity University
Oriental and western
Writers of The 3rd
Century
BEHAILU BEKELE
PATROLOGY TWO
AUGUST, 2023
1
ST. DIONYSIUS OF ALEXANDRIA DEAN: 231- 246 POPE: 246-
270
• The order of Origen's successors in the headship of the Alexandrine Catechetical School, up to the
beginning of the fourth century, is probably as follows: Heraklas(seems to have written nothing), Dionysius,
Theognostus (He wrote seven books of Hypotyposes or Essays, known to Photius), Pierius (writer of “On
the Mother of God”) , and Peter (opponent of Origen, On the Divinity, cited by the Council of Ephesus
• St. Athanasius called him “Teacher of the Universal Church”. ™
Dionysius was a man of great executive ability
and noble character. Kind and entirely devoted to his people, combining knowledge with broad sympathy, he
enjoyed universal esteem among his contemporaries. The Oriental Church honors him as a martyr.
• He was born in Alexandria in about 190 from pagan parents. He was not Christian until an old Christian
woman sold him some scripts of St. Paul’s letters. After reading them, he came back for more and she led
him to the Church where he learned about and converted to Christianity.
• He faced the challenge of preserving his Church in the midst of persecutions: Decian 250 and Valrian in
257. He showed leniency to heretics or apostates who repented
2
HIS WORKS
• Issue of those who were baptized by heretics - Cyprian of Corthage vs. Stephen of Rome.
• Issue of earthly kingdom (millennium) - Nepos, Bishop of Arsinoe (in Fayoum).
• On Nature: refutes the Epicurean materialism view of the universe. written to refute the atomic theory of
the formation of the world and to establish the Christian belief in creation.
• Commentary on the first chapters of Ecclesiastes
• Apology: on the Trinitarian doctrine
• Letters: quoted frequently by Eusebius
3
SCHOOL OF CAESAREA
• Origen founded a new school at Caesarea in Palestine (232 AD). Here a remarkable Christian
library was soon established; it owed its growth especially to the efforts of the later director
of the school, the priest Pamphilus. ™
• It was a center of scholarship and learning. Here St. Gregory Thaumaturgus and Eusebius of
Caesarea received their theological training. ™
• Through Caesarea the Alexandrian tradition influenced the leading theologians of
Cappadocia, especially St. Basil the Great and the two Gregorys, who sought to reconcile the
spirit of Alexandria with that of Antioch.
4
FROM SYRO-PALESTINIANS, PAMPHILUS
• We didn't provide a smaller account for Pamphilus' contribution in the third century, despite the fact that the majority
of Syrian and Palestinian fathers contributed to the church in the fourth century.
• He was one of Origen's most ardent supporters despite not knowing him personally. He was raised by wealthy parents
in Berytus, Phoenicia.
• After studying theology under Pierius in Alexandria, he settled permanently in Caesarea, Palestine. There he was
consecrated a priest, opened a theological school, and became known for his zealous efforts to enrich the magnificent
library Origen had founded in that city
• In 309, during Maximinus' persecution, he perished as a martyr. In a biography, his coworker and friend Eusebius
portrays him as a perfect priest, decorated with all qualities.
5
ST GREGORY THAUMATURGUS BISHOP OF
NEO-CAESAREA
• His birth name was Theodore, was born to wealthy, pagan parents in Neo-Caesarea (Pontus) about the year 213. He
was about to travel to Berytus in Phoenicia after finishing his studies in literature and law. He first studied rhetoric
after his parents passed away, then law. He had intended to continue his legal studies at Beirut in 233, but instead he
and his brother traveled to Caesarea, Palestine, where they both studied under Origen for five years.
• He had returned to Pontus by 238. Around 240, he was appointed bishop of Neocaesarea. With such fervor and
success, he proclaimed the Gospel in towns and rural areas, and upon his passing, only a small number of pagan
communities remained across Pontus.
• He listened to Origen there, developed a bond with him, and followed his teaching for five years. Even though he was
still a young man, he was installed as the first bishop of Neo-Caesarea not long after his return to Pontus in 238. His
life changed to that of an apostle at this point.
6
….
• He was regarded with esteem as the founding figure of the Church of Cappadocia by the Cappadocian Fathers in the
fourth century. During the Decian persecution, he fled.
• Around 264, he participated in the synod that condemned Paul of Samosata to excommunication.
• St. Gregory Thaumaturgos had taught Macrina, the influential grandmother of Sts. Basil and Gregory of Nyssa.
• The miracles that gave him the title of Thaumaturgos "Wonder worker" His intercession was credited with a number
of miracles at an early period, which obviously demonstrates the enormous impact his holy life had on people
everywhere.
• Gregory's reputation was largely based on the widely reported reports of his miracles.
• He passed away during Aurelian's rule (270–275). Gregory of Nyssa left his life behind.
7
HIS WORKS
1. The Thanksgiving Discourse to Origen This panegyric
was spoken at Caesarea in 238 and was intended to honor
Origen for his thoughtful concern before he left. It is an
intellectual oration with an honest and loving tone, and
because of the details it provides about Origen's approach
and curriculum, it is a very valuable source.
• An oration he delivered on leaving the school of Origen at
Caesarea.
2. Formula of faith. Gregory is said to have received a
Formula of Faith from St. John the Evangelist. This work's
legitimacy doesn't seem to be in question. It is succinct but
extremely significant since it explains the Trinity theory. It
might have been composed in the years 260 and 265.
We have five of St.
Gregory's authentic
works:
8
2. FORMULA OF FAITH
• Even though it is brief and only addresses the Orthodox
doctrine of the Trinity, it presents a fairly precise explanation of
it. One Lord, God of Gods, True Son of True Father, etc.,
• There is a perfect Trinity, in glory and eternity…Wherefore there
is nothing either created or in servitude, nor nothing
superinduced, as if at some former period it was non-existent,
and at some later period it was introduced.
• In addition to being included in Gregory of Nyssa's biography,
the Greek text of this Creed is also surviving in a great number
of manuscripts; we also have a Latin translation by Rufinus (Hist.
eccl. 7,26).
9
3.
CANONICAL
EPISTLE
• A Canonical Letter to the Pontus Bishops, written
between 254 and 258, in response to the Pontus
invasions by the Boradi and Goths. Gregory describes
how those Christians who had committed various sins
under these challenging circumstances should be treated
properly from a penitential standpoint. The Greek
canonical collection now contains this letter.
ST GREGORY
THAUMATURGU
S BISHOP OF
NEO-CAESAREA
10
4. THE
METAPHASES OF
ECCLESIASTES
5. ON THE
IMPASSABILITY AND
PASSABILITY OF
GOD
• 4. The Metaphases of Ecclesiastes
• The Septuagint text of Ecclesiastes has been
paraphrased in this passage, which is known as The
Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes. Ecclesiastes, a more
liberated rendition of the ideas presented in that
influential work.
• 5. On the Impassability and Passability of God
• This treatise, which was written to a man named
Theopompus, is only available in a Syriac translation. It
is titled On the Impassability and Passability of
God.The Son of God defeated death and established
the impassibility of God by His voluntary suffering,
despite the fact that God cannot be susceptible to
suffering.
ST GREGORY
THAUMATURGU
S BISHOP OF
NEO-CAESAREA
11
St. Gregory Stated The Following In His Commentary on The
Annunciation To The Holy Virgin Mary
• Once more we have the joyful news of joy, once more the announcements of
freedom, once more the restoration, once more the return, once again the
promise of rejoicing, once more the liberation from slavery.
• In order to stop the serpent from speaking with the lady any longer, an angel
converses with the Virgin.
• The dawn was sent that should precede the light of the day. Gabriel was sent to
proclaim Him who is in the bosom of the Father, and who yet was to be in the
arms of the mother.
• The first Eve received the incorporeal servant. The light that will herald the Sun
of Righteousness was sent.
12
OTHERS
QUESTIONAB
LE
TREATISES
OF ST
GREGORY
• 6. Twelve Topics On the Faith
• 7. On the Subject of the Soul
• 8. On All the Saints
• 9. Four Homilies
• 10. On the Gospel According to Matthew
• 11. Spurious Writings The treatise to Philagrius on Consubstantiability.
• Also the treatise to Tatian on the Soul, and six homilies preserved in Armenian.
• 12. Other Works.
• A Communal Letter that deals with pastoral problems during the Gothic invasion is extant.
• A treatise for preachers on how to interpret the Septuagint.
• A piece dedicated to Philogrius which deals with the doctrine of the Trinity is probably authentic.
• The confession of faith attributed to him by St Gregory of Nyssa is the latter’s own composition.
• Some Apollinarian forgeries were transmitted under his name
Others questionable
treatises of St Gregory
13
METHODIUS
• St. Methodius' life is essentially unknown. He is not
mentioned by Eusebius, probably. St. Jerome provides
the information that he was the bishop of Olympus in
Syria, and that he perished as a martyr in 311 under the
reign of Diocletian.
• The writings of St. Methodius can be categorized into
two groups: those that have been preserved (at least in
large part) in Greek, and those that have only been
translated into Slavonic.
• A lengthy Greek fragment of the dialogue titled "The
Freedom of the Will" exists and can be finished by a
Slavonic translation. The book criticizes Gnostic dualism,
which acknowledged two principles—one good and the
other bad.
• The Banquet or On Virginity is the only complete
work by Methodius written in Greek. Instead of being
a dialogue, it is a sequence of discourses.
• Ten virgins take turns speaking, each praising virginity as the
pinnacle of the Christian life, the way to imitate Christ, etc.
14
WESTERN WRITES OF
THE 3RD CENTURY
1. Tertullian,
2. St. Cyprian,
3. St. Augustine
4. Hippolytus,
5. Novatian,
6. Victorinus
15
AFRICAN WRITERS AS WESTERNS
WHY?
• In the third century, Origen served as the East's literary hub, the core of which attracted
everything. Almost all authors were either the great Alexandrian's allies or enemies.
• There is no such dominant character in the West; rather, there are only geographical divisions,
leading to the formation of three distinct groups:
• the African writers,
• the Roman writers, and
• the smallest group the Gaul and Pannonian writers.
• The African Christian fathers, such as Tertullian, St Cyprian, Arnobius of Sicca, and Lactantius.
THE SCHOLAR
TERTULLIAN
17
.....
• Around the year 160, Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus was born in Carthage, where
his father was serving as a Roman official.
• Tertullian's pagan views had an impact on him growing up.
• Throughout the years 195-220, he kept writing.
• He and St. Augustine are the two greatest theologians in Western culture.
• He is the source of many technical terms used in Western theology.
• He did, in a sense, create the understandable vocabulary of western religion.
18
HIS LIFE
• Tertullian devoured all he could get his hands on and read and studied it. His erudition was
astonishing as a result.
• Even though he wasn't a lawyer by profession, he had the mindset and spirit of one and was quite
knowledgeable about Roman law.
• He converted to Christianity between 193 and 195. We don't know what led him to accept Christ
as his Saviour, but his conversion was true and total.
• He was ordained to the priesthood in the year 200 despite being married, and he survived through
Septimius Severus' persecution up until the year 213, fighting against paganism and heresy.
• Tertullian was a born fighter. Energetic of mind, independent of character, and very logician, he
pushed his convictions to the limit and fought all his life for what he believed to be true, good,
and right, with an iron will that forced everything to bow.
• Unfortunately, he had flaws in his characteristics. He lacks moderation, and his thinking is flawed.
• He exaggerates principles and unconsciously distorts texts and facts; he takes arguments at
random and hurls them pell-mell at his opponent without stopping to discriminate. His firmness
is frequently accompanied by stubbornness.
• He exaggerates Christian morality and renders it unworkable because he fails to see truths related
to those he is creating and applies them to complex circumstances.
• About 205 or 207 he became a Montanist
• When he died, he had split from the Montanists and formed his own sect, known as the
Tertullianists.
• He is the most prolific of all Latin writers, as well as the most creative and personal.
• His numerous publications include the first major corpus of Christian literature in Latin,
defending Christianity against paganism, expounding Christian theory against Gnosticism
and other heresies, particularly Marcionism, and discussing concerns in Christian ethics.
HIS WORKS
• We have 31 authentic Tertullian compositions,
• four of which date from 197-200,
• ten from 200-206,
• twelve from 206-216, and
• five from 213-222.
• Instead of following this chronological order, we will split his writings into apologetical,
antagonistic, dogmatic, moral, and disciplinary categories, and note the lost texts at the
conclusion.
HIS APOLOGETICAL WORK
• Apologeticum, a work addressed to Roman provincial governors, addresses secret crimes
among Christians and public crimes. Ad Nationes ridicules heathen worship, Ad
Scapulam focuses on persecutors, and Adversus Judaeos discusses the rejection of
God's grace by Israelites.
2. DOGMATICO-POLEMIC WORKS
3. PRACTICO-ASCETICAL
• His chief work was Against Marcion in five books
• written over a period of about twelve years, 200-212.;
• Against Gnosticism;
• Against Hermogenes;
• Against Praxeas;
• Treatise On the Soul;
• On the Resurrection of the Flesh;
• On the Flesh of Christ.
• 3. Practico-Ascetical
• Two treatises On Repentance; On Humility; De cultu feminarum (on women’s dress and ornaments);
• On Baptism; Ad uxorem (spiritual testament in which he recommends his wife not to remarry) in twobooks; De corona (chaplet) on
the incompatibility between Christianity and military service.
TERTULLIAN WORDS
• God is invisible, though He is seen; incomprehensible, though manifested by grace;
inconceivable, though conceived by human senses. In this lies His reality, and His
greatness. But as a general rule, what can be seen, grasped, conceived, is inferior to the eyes
which see, the hands which handle, the senses which discover it: while that which is infinite
is known only by itself.
• It is God’s infinity which gives us the conception of the inconceivable God; for His
overwhelming majesty presents Him to man as at once known and unknown.
• Because of His immense majesty, which renders Him to us as both known and unknown, it
is God's infinity that provides us the conception of the incomprehensible God.
….
• …Foolish are those who always seek because they never find, for they seek where nothing
can be found.
• Foolish are those who always knock because the door never opens, for they knock where
there isn’t a door to open.
• Foolish are those who always ask because they won’t be heard. They ask of one who does
not hear….
St. CYPRIAN of CARTHAGE Bishop and Martyr
200 – D. 258
• CAECILUS CYPRIANUS was born at Carthage,
probably c. 210. Born in Africa to rich pagan parents, he
received the best education that was available and went
on to become a rhetorician.
• He gained renown for having the most successful career
in Africa and was known as "the nurse of pleaders" when
instructing rhetoric in Carthage.
• But he was unable to find satisfaction in fleeting riches.
He was entirely converted to Christianity by Caecilianus,
a respected Carthaginian priest, about the year 245.
• oon after, he was ordained as a priest, and at the
beginning of the year 249, he took Donatus' place as
the bishop of Carthage. thus becoming a metropolis
in North Africa.
• Even though his episcopate was only active for nine
years, it was quite busy. The Decius persecution
began in 250. Out of caution and to avoid inciting
the resentment of the oppressors against the people
by his presence, Cyprian fled Carthage and sought
refuge in the neighbouring country.
27
• In the Valerian persecution, St. Cyprian was martyred and decapitated.
• He became the protagonist of numerous stories that were told about his life in the East. It is stated that before his
conversion, confession, and passion, he was a magician who sold his soul to the devil.
• This story was known to Gregory Nazianzus (PG 35, 1169- 93), Prudentius (Perist. 13, 21-24), Eudoxia (PG 103, 537- 41), and is
found in Greek, Latin, Syriac, Arabic, Coptic, Ethiopian, and Palaeoslavonic.
• Instead of engaging in speculation, he focused on the current situation's necessities, on pragmatic goals and interests,
and on Scripture and Christian sentiments. He was mostly an active man.
• He was usually calm and reasonable. He frequently referenced and openly borrowed from Tertullian in his works.
His Works
• In addition to his writings, St. Cyprian left us thirteen genuine works. They are either
apologies or discussions on morality and canon law.
• His primary aim is to write for the benefit of his readers. He has a classical writer's
symmetrical form. Although his Latin is less expressive and rich than Tertullian's, it is more
accurate, even though it occasionally shows signs of post-classical decadence and Africanism.
• In the centuries that followed, his style was immensely loved and frequently emulated. He's
not perfect, but he's a wonderful role model.
1. APOLOGETICAL
WORKS.
• To Donatus: A highly coloured, poetical description of the new life entered
into by baptismal regeneration ( 246).
• 2. The DressTo Demetrianus: ( 252) Apologetic address to a magistrate
proving that famine, war, and plague are attributed wrongly to Christian
neglect of pagan gods.
• Demetrius, a dangerous and immoral heathen, frequently defamed Christians
and irritated the Bishop with his frequent visits. Cyprian finally made up his
mind to respond.
• The majority of his writings are collections of notes, some of which are
prepared to demonstrate the falsehood of paganism and the truthfulness of
Christianity while others are taken directly from Minucius Felix and Tertullian's
Apologeticum.
1. Ad Donatum
2. Ad Demetrianum
3. Quod Idola non sint Dii
(The Idols are not Gods).
30
2. MORAL AND
DISCIPLINARYWOR
KS
• The first book's goal is to demonstrate that the Decian
persecution's apostates must make a significant
atonement before being allowed to rejoin the Church.
• The second is intended to demonstrate that there can
only be one real Church in the entire world and in every
diocese, that in this Church unity is only possible via the
communion of the faithful with one another and with
the bishop, and that, as a result, schism is among the
worst of crimes.
Foremost among the works of St. Cyprian
on morals and discipline must be placed
the two treatises
1. De Lapsis and
2. De Unitate Catholicae Ecclesiae
31
3. LETTERS.
• The most significant portion of St. Cyprian's writings
are his letters. We are aware that he organised them into
categories and retained copies of them.
• 49 of these letters on theological and disciplinary issues
are still in existence and are all very interesting
historically.
• The dates of Cyprian's letters were first attempted to be
fixed by Pearson, and subsequent critiques have rarely
altered his findings.
32
WORDS OF ST. CYPRIAN
ABOUT MORALITY
• Always remember that we have renounced the world and
are living here as guests and strangers in the meantime.
Anticipate the day assigned to each of us for our
homecoming.
• There is only one medicine against such deathly sickness
of the soul - to love your neighbour.
ABOUT THE CHURCH
• He can no longer have God for his Father, who has
not the Church for his mother.
• If anyone could escape who was outside the ark of
Noah, then he may also escape who shall be outside
of the Church.
• He cannot be a martyr who is not in the Church
• There is no salivation outside of the Church.
33
WESTERN WRITERS
PART TWO
1. Hippolytus,
2. Novatian,
3. Victorinus
34
HIPPOLYTUS
PRESBYTER, ROMAN RIVAL BISHOP
• Christian literature in third-century Rome has two chief representatives, Hippolytus and Novatian.
• It is thought that he was born towards 170-175,—where, we do not know.
• He calls himself a disciple of St. Irenaeus, but this may easily be understood of his intellectual training through
books written by the Bishop of LyonsHowever this may be, St. Hippolytus appears c. 212 as a presbyter of the
Roman Church and a recognized scholar.
• A learned and cultivated person whose heritage derived from the Greek-speaking East, Hippolytus became a leading
theologian in the Church at Rome.
• He found himself in sharp disagreement with the bishops Zephyrinus and Callistus.
• When Bishop Callistus relaxed the treatment of penitents who had been guilty of mortal sin, the austere and ambitious Hippolytus
accused him of having departed from the tradition of the primitive Church by his leniency. He also accused Callistus of being a
Sabellianist and a heretic.
35
………
• Hippolytus' identification is disputed in ancient sources.
• Hippolytus went too far in defending a Logos theology with subordinationistic tendencies.
• Hippolytus and several of his followers seceded from the Church; he was elected bishop of
Rome by a small but powerful circle, becoming the first anti-pope.
• The most reasonable explanation for his classification as a bishop in primarily eastern
sources (e.g., Eusebius, HE 6.20) is that he became the bishop of a schismatic community.
• Hippolytus caused a split and established a competing church, of which he became bishop.
36
• Hippolytus is a Western theologian. He fought side by side with Tertullian against the
Gnostics and the Sabellians.
• As a preacher and a homilist he shows true oratorical ability.
• Hippolytus resembled Irenaeus in theology, Origen in scholarship, and Tertullian in attitudes,
but was inferior to all three in originality and achievement.
• His debt to Irenaeus’ theology is seen especially in his doctrine of salvation: Christ took on
flesh and reversed the experience of Adam in order to confer immortality on the human
race.
37
• Hippolytus and Callistus disagreed on Christology, the essence of the Church, and
forgiveness.
• Callistus accused him of worshipping two gods because the Word (Christ) was distinct from
the Father.
• Hippolytus desired a pristine church and held a rigorist stance against forgiving anyone who
committed significant sins after receiving baptism.
38
HIS WORKS
• His works may be divided into Scriptural, controversial, apologetical and
dogmatical, historical and chronological, and disciplinary and hortatory works.
1. The Scriptural works of St. Hippolytus are not, as a rule, cast in the form of
continuous commentaries. They are rather homilies on selected passages of the
sacred text.
2. Controversial works
a) (Against All Heresies): Against 32 heresies
b) (Refutation of All Heresies), which finds the origin of Christian heresies in the
philosophical schools of the Greeks.
3. Demonstration according to the Holy Scriptures of that which Concerns Christ
and the Antichrist
4. As to the Odes on all the Scriptures, we know nothing more about them than the
title given in the statue catalogue.
5. The Chronicle.The Determination of the Date of Easter.
1. It was a kind of collection of profane and sacred history and geography,
2. Easter falls on the same date every sixteenth year
1. Scripturalworks.
2. Controvercial works
a) The Syntagma
b) Philosophumena
3. De Antichristo.
4. Disciplinary and
Hortatory Works
5. Historical And
Chronologicalworks
39
NOVATIAN
• The early life of Novatian is known to us principally through the letters of Pope Cornelius
to Fabius of Antioch, extracts of which are furnished by Eusebius. Born probably in Italy,
perhaps at Rome.
• (After the problem of possessed with evil spirit)with a Novatian was endowed with
remarkable intellectual qualities and, in spite of the opposition of the clergy and many
laymen, the then pope, Fabian, (or perhaps Pontian), ordained him to the priesthood, and in
250 we find him holding a prominent position at Rome.
• Socrates,5 says he died a martyr's death in the persecution of Valerian (257-258)
40
HIS WORKS
• He wrote on Easter,
• on the Sabbath,
• on Circumcision,
• on the (high) Priest,
• on prayer,
• on Jewish meats,
• on persecution,
• mentioned.
• and on the Trinity.
• Of all these writings there remain only two letters to St.
Cyprian, the De Trinitate and the treatise De Cibis Judaicis, just
• The De Trinitate, Novatian's masterpiece, was written before
250. It is a commentary on a formula of faith shorter than the
Apostles Creed, yet longer than the simple baptismal formula.
• The De Cibis Judaicis is a schismatic work of Novatian. It is a
kind of pastoral letter, addressed to the Novatian community,
in which he explains allegorically the distinction of meats
among the Jews.
41
VICTORINUS OF
PETTAUE
• He was bishop of Pettau in Syria.
• The earliest exegete of the Latin Church.
• St Jerome says that he was not equally as familiar with
Latin as with Greek, but this does not necessarily imply
that he was Greek by birth.
• St Jerome also considered him to be affected by the
opinions of the Chiliasts or Millenarians, and borrowed
extensively from Origen.
• He was killed in the Diocletian persecution, most
probably in 304
was an Early Christian ecclesiastical
writer who flourished about 270, and
who was martyred during the
persecutions of Emperor Diocletian.
A Bishop of Poetovio (modern Ptuj in
Slovenia; German: Pettau) in Pannonia,
42
HIS WORK
• 1. The Commentary on the Apocalypse: It testifies to the chiliastic view of its author.
• 2. De fabrica mundi: In this work, Victorinus’ chiliastic tendency again appears clear.
• 3. Against All Heresies: This work is identical with the pamphlet of the same name
appended to Tertullian’s Prescription of Heretics which is believed to have been translated by
Victorinus.
• 4. Commentaries on Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Habbakuk, Ecclesiastes,
Canticle of Canticles, and Matthew.
43
CRITICS ON THE WESTERNS SCHOOL OF
THEOLOGY
• The West generated no large schools of thought like Alexandria and Antioch, nor did it
develop a local group of outstanding theologians like the three Cappadocian Fathers.
• Its authors were often influenced by past or contemporaneous Greek (eastern) theology.
• Nonetheless, among the Western Fathers of the fourth and fifth centuries, there are
dominating figures without equal in the East, as well as a number of minor authors of
exceptional rank.
44
NEXT
writers of the Golden Age of patristic
literature from the east and west (313–461)
and Fourth Century Heterodox literatures
Furthermore, the assignment of presentation
will continue.
45

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Oriental and western Writers of The 3rd part two.ppt

  • 1. Holy Trinity University Oriental and western Writers of The 3rd Century BEHAILU BEKELE PATROLOGY TWO AUGUST, 2023 1
  • 2. ST. DIONYSIUS OF ALEXANDRIA DEAN: 231- 246 POPE: 246- 270 • The order of Origen's successors in the headship of the Alexandrine Catechetical School, up to the beginning of the fourth century, is probably as follows: Heraklas(seems to have written nothing), Dionysius, Theognostus (He wrote seven books of Hypotyposes or Essays, known to Photius), Pierius (writer of “On the Mother of God”) , and Peter (opponent of Origen, On the Divinity, cited by the Council of Ephesus • St. Athanasius called him “Teacher of the Universal Church”. ™ Dionysius was a man of great executive ability and noble character. Kind and entirely devoted to his people, combining knowledge with broad sympathy, he enjoyed universal esteem among his contemporaries. The Oriental Church honors him as a martyr. • He was born in Alexandria in about 190 from pagan parents. He was not Christian until an old Christian woman sold him some scripts of St. Paul’s letters. After reading them, he came back for more and she led him to the Church where he learned about and converted to Christianity. • He faced the challenge of preserving his Church in the midst of persecutions: Decian 250 and Valrian in 257. He showed leniency to heretics or apostates who repented 2
  • 3. HIS WORKS • Issue of those who were baptized by heretics - Cyprian of Corthage vs. Stephen of Rome. • Issue of earthly kingdom (millennium) - Nepos, Bishop of Arsinoe (in Fayoum). • On Nature: refutes the Epicurean materialism view of the universe. written to refute the atomic theory of the formation of the world and to establish the Christian belief in creation. • Commentary on the first chapters of Ecclesiastes • Apology: on the Trinitarian doctrine • Letters: quoted frequently by Eusebius 3
  • 4. SCHOOL OF CAESAREA • Origen founded a new school at Caesarea in Palestine (232 AD). Here a remarkable Christian library was soon established; it owed its growth especially to the efforts of the later director of the school, the priest Pamphilus. ™ • It was a center of scholarship and learning. Here St. Gregory Thaumaturgus and Eusebius of Caesarea received their theological training. ™ • Through Caesarea the Alexandrian tradition influenced the leading theologians of Cappadocia, especially St. Basil the Great and the two Gregorys, who sought to reconcile the spirit of Alexandria with that of Antioch. 4
  • 5. FROM SYRO-PALESTINIANS, PAMPHILUS • We didn't provide a smaller account for Pamphilus' contribution in the third century, despite the fact that the majority of Syrian and Palestinian fathers contributed to the church in the fourth century. • He was one of Origen's most ardent supporters despite not knowing him personally. He was raised by wealthy parents in Berytus, Phoenicia. • After studying theology under Pierius in Alexandria, he settled permanently in Caesarea, Palestine. There he was consecrated a priest, opened a theological school, and became known for his zealous efforts to enrich the magnificent library Origen had founded in that city • In 309, during Maximinus' persecution, he perished as a martyr. In a biography, his coworker and friend Eusebius portrays him as a perfect priest, decorated with all qualities. 5
  • 6. ST GREGORY THAUMATURGUS BISHOP OF NEO-CAESAREA • His birth name was Theodore, was born to wealthy, pagan parents in Neo-Caesarea (Pontus) about the year 213. He was about to travel to Berytus in Phoenicia after finishing his studies in literature and law. He first studied rhetoric after his parents passed away, then law. He had intended to continue his legal studies at Beirut in 233, but instead he and his brother traveled to Caesarea, Palestine, where they both studied under Origen for five years. • He had returned to Pontus by 238. Around 240, he was appointed bishop of Neocaesarea. With such fervor and success, he proclaimed the Gospel in towns and rural areas, and upon his passing, only a small number of pagan communities remained across Pontus. • He listened to Origen there, developed a bond with him, and followed his teaching for five years. Even though he was still a young man, he was installed as the first bishop of Neo-Caesarea not long after his return to Pontus in 238. His life changed to that of an apostle at this point. 6
  • 7. …. • He was regarded with esteem as the founding figure of the Church of Cappadocia by the Cappadocian Fathers in the fourth century. During the Decian persecution, he fled. • Around 264, he participated in the synod that condemned Paul of Samosata to excommunication. • St. Gregory Thaumaturgos had taught Macrina, the influential grandmother of Sts. Basil and Gregory of Nyssa. • The miracles that gave him the title of Thaumaturgos "Wonder worker" His intercession was credited with a number of miracles at an early period, which obviously demonstrates the enormous impact his holy life had on people everywhere. • Gregory's reputation was largely based on the widely reported reports of his miracles. • He passed away during Aurelian's rule (270–275). Gregory of Nyssa left his life behind. 7
  • 8. HIS WORKS 1. The Thanksgiving Discourse to Origen This panegyric was spoken at Caesarea in 238 and was intended to honor Origen for his thoughtful concern before he left. It is an intellectual oration with an honest and loving tone, and because of the details it provides about Origen's approach and curriculum, it is a very valuable source. • An oration he delivered on leaving the school of Origen at Caesarea. 2. Formula of faith. Gregory is said to have received a Formula of Faith from St. John the Evangelist. This work's legitimacy doesn't seem to be in question. It is succinct but extremely significant since it explains the Trinity theory. It might have been composed in the years 260 and 265. We have five of St. Gregory's authentic works: 8
  • 9. 2. FORMULA OF FAITH • Even though it is brief and only addresses the Orthodox doctrine of the Trinity, it presents a fairly precise explanation of it. One Lord, God of Gods, True Son of True Father, etc., • There is a perfect Trinity, in glory and eternity…Wherefore there is nothing either created or in servitude, nor nothing superinduced, as if at some former period it was non-existent, and at some later period it was introduced. • In addition to being included in Gregory of Nyssa's biography, the Greek text of this Creed is also surviving in a great number of manuscripts; we also have a Latin translation by Rufinus (Hist. eccl. 7,26). 9
  • 10. 3. CANONICAL EPISTLE • A Canonical Letter to the Pontus Bishops, written between 254 and 258, in response to the Pontus invasions by the Boradi and Goths. Gregory describes how those Christians who had committed various sins under these challenging circumstances should be treated properly from a penitential standpoint. The Greek canonical collection now contains this letter. ST GREGORY THAUMATURGU S BISHOP OF NEO-CAESAREA 10
  • 11. 4. THE METAPHASES OF ECCLESIASTES 5. ON THE IMPASSABILITY AND PASSABILITY OF GOD • 4. The Metaphases of Ecclesiastes • The Septuagint text of Ecclesiastes has been paraphrased in this passage, which is known as The Metaphrase of Ecclesiastes. Ecclesiastes, a more liberated rendition of the ideas presented in that influential work. • 5. On the Impassability and Passability of God • This treatise, which was written to a man named Theopompus, is only available in a Syriac translation. It is titled On the Impassability and Passability of God.The Son of God defeated death and established the impassibility of God by His voluntary suffering, despite the fact that God cannot be susceptible to suffering. ST GREGORY THAUMATURGU S BISHOP OF NEO-CAESAREA 11
  • 12. St. Gregory Stated The Following In His Commentary on The Annunciation To The Holy Virgin Mary • Once more we have the joyful news of joy, once more the announcements of freedom, once more the restoration, once more the return, once again the promise of rejoicing, once more the liberation from slavery. • In order to stop the serpent from speaking with the lady any longer, an angel converses with the Virgin. • The dawn was sent that should precede the light of the day. Gabriel was sent to proclaim Him who is in the bosom of the Father, and who yet was to be in the arms of the mother. • The first Eve received the incorporeal servant. The light that will herald the Sun of Righteousness was sent. 12
  • 13. OTHERS QUESTIONAB LE TREATISES OF ST GREGORY • 6. Twelve Topics On the Faith • 7. On the Subject of the Soul • 8. On All the Saints • 9. Four Homilies • 10. On the Gospel According to Matthew • 11. Spurious Writings The treatise to Philagrius on Consubstantiability. • Also the treatise to Tatian on the Soul, and six homilies preserved in Armenian. • 12. Other Works. • A Communal Letter that deals with pastoral problems during the Gothic invasion is extant. • A treatise for preachers on how to interpret the Septuagint. • A piece dedicated to Philogrius which deals with the doctrine of the Trinity is probably authentic. • The confession of faith attributed to him by St Gregory of Nyssa is the latter’s own composition. • Some Apollinarian forgeries were transmitted under his name Others questionable treatises of St Gregory 13
  • 14. METHODIUS • St. Methodius' life is essentially unknown. He is not mentioned by Eusebius, probably. St. Jerome provides the information that he was the bishop of Olympus in Syria, and that he perished as a martyr in 311 under the reign of Diocletian. • The writings of St. Methodius can be categorized into two groups: those that have been preserved (at least in large part) in Greek, and those that have only been translated into Slavonic. • A lengthy Greek fragment of the dialogue titled "The Freedom of the Will" exists and can be finished by a Slavonic translation. The book criticizes Gnostic dualism, which acknowledged two principles—one good and the other bad. • The Banquet or On Virginity is the only complete work by Methodius written in Greek. Instead of being a dialogue, it is a sequence of discourses. • Ten virgins take turns speaking, each praising virginity as the pinnacle of the Christian life, the way to imitate Christ, etc. 14
  • 15. WESTERN WRITES OF THE 3RD CENTURY 1. Tertullian, 2. St. Cyprian, 3. St. Augustine 4. Hippolytus, 5. Novatian, 6. Victorinus 15
  • 16. AFRICAN WRITERS AS WESTERNS WHY? • In the third century, Origen served as the East's literary hub, the core of which attracted everything. Almost all authors were either the great Alexandrian's allies or enemies. • There is no such dominant character in the West; rather, there are only geographical divisions, leading to the formation of three distinct groups: • the African writers, • the Roman writers, and • the smallest group the Gaul and Pannonian writers. • The African Christian fathers, such as Tertullian, St Cyprian, Arnobius of Sicca, and Lactantius.
  • 18. ..... • Around the year 160, Quintus Septimius Florens Tertullianus was born in Carthage, where his father was serving as a Roman official. • Tertullian's pagan views had an impact on him growing up. • Throughout the years 195-220, he kept writing. • He and St. Augustine are the two greatest theologians in Western culture. • He is the source of many technical terms used in Western theology. • He did, in a sense, create the understandable vocabulary of western religion. 18
  • 19. HIS LIFE • Tertullian devoured all he could get his hands on and read and studied it. His erudition was astonishing as a result. • Even though he wasn't a lawyer by profession, he had the mindset and spirit of one and was quite knowledgeable about Roman law. • He converted to Christianity between 193 and 195. We don't know what led him to accept Christ as his Saviour, but his conversion was true and total. • He was ordained to the priesthood in the year 200 despite being married, and he survived through Septimius Severus' persecution up until the year 213, fighting against paganism and heresy.
  • 20. • Tertullian was a born fighter. Energetic of mind, independent of character, and very logician, he pushed his convictions to the limit and fought all his life for what he believed to be true, good, and right, with an iron will that forced everything to bow. • Unfortunately, he had flaws in his characteristics. He lacks moderation, and his thinking is flawed. • He exaggerates principles and unconsciously distorts texts and facts; he takes arguments at random and hurls them pell-mell at his opponent without stopping to discriminate. His firmness is frequently accompanied by stubbornness. • He exaggerates Christian morality and renders it unworkable because he fails to see truths related to those he is creating and applies them to complex circumstances.
  • 21. • About 205 or 207 he became a Montanist • When he died, he had split from the Montanists and formed his own sect, known as the Tertullianists. • He is the most prolific of all Latin writers, as well as the most creative and personal. • His numerous publications include the first major corpus of Christian literature in Latin, defending Christianity against paganism, expounding Christian theory against Gnosticism and other heresies, particularly Marcionism, and discussing concerns in Christian ethics.
  • 22. HIS WORKS • We have 31 authentic Tertullian compositions, • four of which date from 197-200, • ten from 200-206, • twelve from 206-216, and • five from 213-222. • Instead of following this chronological order, we will split his writings into apologetical, antagonistic, dogmatic, moral, and disciplinary categories, and note the lost texts at the conclusion.
  • 23. HIS APOLOGETICAL WORK • Apologeticum, a work addressed to Roman provincial governors, addresses secret crimes among Christians and public crimes. Ad Nationes ridicules heathen worship, Ad Scapulam focuses on persecutors, and Adversus Judaeos discusses the rejection of God's grace by Israelites.
  • 24. 2. DOGMATICO-POLEMIC WORKS 3. PRACTICO-ASCETICAL • His chief work was Against Marcion in five books • written over a period of about twelve years, 200-212.; • Against Gnosticism; • Against Hermogenes; • Against Praxeas; • Treatise On the Soul; • On the Resurrection of the Flesh; • On the Flesh of Christ. • 3. Practico-Ascetical • Two treatises On Repentance; On Humility; De cultu feminarum (on women’s dress and ornaments); • On Baptism; Ad uxorem (spiritual testament in which he recommends his wife not to remarry) in twobooks; De corona (chaplet) on the incompatibility between Christianity and military service.
  • 25. TERTULLIAN WORDS • God is invisible, though He is seen; incomprehensible, though manifested by grace; inconceivable, though conceived by human senses. In this lies His reality, and His greatness. But as a general rule, what can be seen, grasped, conceived, is inferior to the eyes which see, the hands which handle, the senses which discover it: while that which is infinite is known only by itself. • It is God’s infinity which gives us the conception of the inconceivable God; for His overwhelming majesty presents Him to man as at once known and unknown. • Because of His immense majesty, which renders Him to us as both known and unknown, it is God's infinity that provides us the conception of the incomprehensible God.
  • 26. …. • …Foolish are those who always seek because they never find, for they seek where nothing can be found. • Foolish are those who always knock because the door never opens, for they knock where there isn’t a door to open. • Foolish are those who always ask because they won’t be heard. They ask of one who does not hear….
  • 27. St. CYPRIAN of CARTHAGE Bishop and Martyr 200 – D. 258 • CAECILUS CYPRIANUS was born at Carthage, probably c. 210. Born in Africa to rich pagan parents, he received the best education that was available and went on to become a rhetorician. • He gained renown for having the most successful career in Africa and was known as "the nurse of pleaders" when instructing rhetoric in Carthage. • But he was unable to find satisfaction in fleeting riches. He was entirely converted to Christianity by Caecilianus, a respected Carthaginian priest, about the year 245. • oon after, he was ordained as a priest, and at the beginning of the year 249, he took Donatus' place as the bishop of Carthage. thus becoming a metropolis in North Africa. • Even though his episcopate was only active for nine years, it was quite busy. The Decius persecution began in 250. Out of caution and to avoid inciting the resentment of the oppressors against the people by his presence, Cyprian fled Carthage and sought refuge in the neighbouring country. 27
  • 28. • In the Valerian persecution, St. Cyprian was martyred and decapitated. • He became the protagonist of numerous stories that were told about his life in the East. It is stated that before his conversion, confession, and passion, he was a magician who sold his soul to the devil. • This story was known to Gregory Nazianzus (PG 35, 1169- 93), Prudentius (Perist. 13, 21-24), Eudoxia (PG 103, 537- 41), and is found in Greek, Latin, Syriac, Arabic, Coptic, Ethiopian, and Palaeoslavonic. • Instead of engaging in speculation, he focused on the current situation's necessities, on pragmatic goals and interests, and on Scripture and Christian sentiments. He was mostly an active man. • He was usually calm and reasonable. He frequently referenced and openly borrowed from Tertullian in his works.
  • 29. His Works • In addition to his writings, St. Cyprian left us thirteen genuine works. They are either apologies or discussions on morality and canon law. • His primary aim is to write for the benefit of his readers. He has a classical writer's symmetrical form. Although his Latin is less expressive and rich than Tertullian's, it is more accurate, even though it occasionally shows signs of post-classical decadence and Africanism. • In the centuries that followed, his style was immensely loved and frequently emulated. He's not perfect, but he's a wonderful role model.
  • 30. 1. APOLOGETICAL WORKS. • To Donatus: A highly coloured, poetical description of the new life entered into by baptismal regeneration ( 246). • 2. The DressTo Demetrianus: ( 252) Apologetic address to a magistrate proving that famine, war, and plague are attributed wrongly to Christian neglect of pagan gods. • Demetrius, a dangerous and immoral heathen, frequently defamed Christians and irritated the Bishop with his frequent visits. Cyprian finally made up his mind to respond. • The majority of his writings are collections of notes, some of which are prepared to demonstrate the falsehood of paganism and the truthfulness of Christianity while others are taken directly from Minucius Felix and Tertullian's Apologeticum. 1. Ad Donatum 2. Ad Demetrianum 3. Quod Idola non sint Dii (The Idols are not Gods). 30
  • 31. 2. MORAL AND DISCIPLINARYWOR KS • The first book's goal is to demonstrate that the Decian persecution's apostates must make a significant atonement before being allowed to rejoin the Church. • The second is intended to demonstrate that there can only be one real Church in the entire world and in every diocese, that in this Church unity is only possible via the communion of the faithful with one another and with the bishop, and that, as a result, schism is among the worst of crimes. Foremost among the works of St. Cyprian on morals and discipline must be placed the two treatises 1. De Lapsis and 2. De Unitate Catholicae Ecclesiae 31
  • 32. 3. LETTERS. • The most significant portion of St. Cyprian's writings are his letters. We are aware that he organised them into categories and retained copies of them. • 49 of these letters on theological and disciplinary issues are still in existence and are all very interesting historically. • The dates of Cyprian's letters were first attempted to be fixed by Pearson, and subsequent critiques have rarely altered his findings. 32
  • 33. WORDS OF ST. CYPRIAN ABOUT MORALITY • Always remember that we have renounced the world and are living here as guests and strangers in the meantime. Anticipate the day assigned to each of us for our homecoming. • There is only one medicine against such deathly sickness of the soul - to love your neighbour. ABOUT THE CHURCH • He can no longer have God for his Father, who has not the Church for his mother. • If anyone could escape who was outside the ark of Noah, then he may also escape who shall be outside of the Church. • He cannot be a martyr who is not in the Church • There is no salivation outside of the Church. 33
  • 34. WESTERN WRITERS PART TWO 1. Hippolytus, 2. Novatian, 3. Victorinus 34
  • 35. HIPPOLYTUS PRESBYTER, ROMAN RIVAL BISHOP • Christian literature in third-century Rome has two chief representatives, Hippolytus and Novatian. • It is thought that he was born towards 170-175,—where, we do not know. • He calls himself a disciple of St. Irenaeus, but this may easily be understood of his intellectual training through books written by the Bishop of LyonsHowever this may be, St. Hippolytus appears c. 212 as a presbyter of the Roman Church and a recognized scholar. • A learned and cultivated person whose heritage derived from the Greek-speaking East, Hippolytus became a leading theologian in the Church at Rome. • He found himself in sharp disagreement with the bishops Zephyrinus and Callistus. • When Bishop Callistus relaxed the treatment of penitents who had been guilty of mortal sin, the austere and ambitious Hippolytus accused him of having departed from the tradition of the primitive Church by his leniency. He also accused Callistus of being a Sabellianist and a heretic. 35
  • 36. ……… • Hippolytus' identification is disputed in ancient sources. • Hippolytus went too far in defending a Logos theology with subordinationistic tendencies. • Hippolytus and several of his followers seceded from the Church; he was elected bishop of Rome by a small but powerful circle, becoming the first anti-pope. • The most reasonable explanation for his classification as a bishop in primarily eastern sources (e.g., Eusebius, HE 6.20) is that he became the bishop of a schismatic community. • Hippolytus caused a split and established a competing church, of which he became bishop. 36
  • 37. • Hippolytus is a Western theologian. He fought side by side with Tertullian against the Gnostics and the Sabellians. • As a preacher and a homilist he shows true oratorical ability. • Hippolytus resembled Irenaeus in theology, Origen in scholarship, and Tertullian in attitudes, but was inferior to all three in originality and achievement. • His debt to Irenaeus’ theology is seen especially in his doctrine of salvation: Christ took on flesh and reversed the experience of Adam in order to confer immortality on the human race. 37
  • 38. • Hippolytus and Callistus disagreed on Christology, the essence of the Church, and forgiveness. • Callistus accused him of worshipping two gods because the Word (Christ) was distinct from the Father. • Hippolytus desired a pristine church and held a rigorist stance against forgiving anyone who committed significant sins after receiving baptism. 38
  • 39. HIS WORKS • His works may be divided into Scriptural, controversial, apologetical and dogmatical, historical and chronological, and disciplinary and hortatory works. 1. The Scriptural works of St. Hippolytus are not, as a rule, cast in the form of continuous commentaries. They are rather homilies on selected passages of the sacred text. 2. Controversial works a) (Against All Heresies): Against 32 heresies b) (Refutation of All Heresies), which finds the origin of Christian heresies in the philosophical schools of the Greeks. 3. Demonstration according to the Holy Scriptures of that which Concerns Christ and the Antichrist 4. As to the Odes on all the Scriptures, we know nothing more about them than the title given in the statue catalogue. 5. The Chronicle.The Determination of the Date of Easter. 1. It was a kind of collection of profane and sacred history and geography, 2. Easter falls on the same date every sixteenth year 1. Scripturalworks. 2. Controvercial works a) The Syntagma b) Philosophumena 3. De Antichristo. 4. Disciplinary and Hortatory Works 5. Historical And Chronologicalworks 39
  • 40. NOVATIAN • The early life of Novatian is known to us principally through the letters of Pope Cornelius to Fabius of Antioch, extracts of which are furnished by Eusebius. Born probably in Italy, perhaps at Rome. • (After the problem of possessed with evil spirit)with a Novatian was endowed with remarkable intellectual qualities and, in spite of the opposition of the clergy and many laymen, the then pope, Fabian, (or perhaps Pontian), ordained him to the priesthood, and in 250 we find him holding a prominent position at Rome. • Socrates,5 says he died a martyr's death in the persecution of Valerian (257-258) 40
  • 41. HIS WORKS • He wrote on Easter, • on the Sabbath, • on Circumcision, • on the (high) Priest, • on prayer, • on Jewish meats, • on persecution, • mentioned. • and on the Trinity. • Of all these writings there remain only two letters to St. Cyprian, the De Trinitate and the treatise De Cibis Judaicis, just • The De Trinitate, Novatian's masterpiece, was written before 250. It is a commentary on a formula of faith shorter than the Apostles Creed, yet longer than the simple baptismal formula. • The De Cibis Judaicis is a schismatic work of Novatian. It is a kind of pastoral letter, addressed to the Novatian community, in which he explains allegorically the distinction of meats among the Jews. 41
  • 42. VICTORINUS OF PETTAUE • He was bishop of Pettau in Syria. • The earliest exegete of the Latin Church. • St Jerome says that he was not equally as familiar with Latin as with Greek, but this does not necessarily imply that he was Greek by birth. • St Jerome also considered him to be affected by the opinions of the Chiliasts or Millenarians, and borrowed extensively from Origen. • He was killed in the Diocletian persecution, most probably in 304 was an Early Christian ecclesiastical writer who flourished about 270, and who was martyred during the persecutions of Emperor Diocletian. A Bishop of Poetovio (modern Ptuj in Slovenia; German: Pettau) in Pannonia, 42
  • 43. HIS WORK • 1. The Commentary on the Apocalypse: It testifies to the chiliastic view of its author. • 2. De fabrica mundi: In this work, Victorinus’ chiliastic tendency again appears clear. • 3. Against All Heresies: This work is identical with the pamphlet of the same name appended to Tertullian’s Prescription of Heretics which is believed to have been translated by Victorinus. • 4. Commentaries on Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Habbakuk, Ecclesiastes, Canticle of Canticles, and Matthew. 43
  • 44. CRITICS ON THE WESTERNS SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY • The West generated no large schools of thought like Alexandria and Antioch, nor did it develop a local group of outstanding theologians like the three Cappadocian Fathers. • Its authors were often influenced by past or contemporaneous Greek (eastern) theology. • Nonetheless, among the Western Fathers of the fourth and fifth centuries, there are dominating figures without equal in the East, as well as a number of minor authors of exceptional rank. 44
  • 45. NEXT writers of the Golden Age of patristic literature from the east and west (313–461) and Fourth Century Heterodox literatures Furthermore, the assignment of presentation will continue. 45