Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Written ca 700, Sinai. 2007 ed. Pontificio Istituto Orientale, 495 pages
Description
The Hexaemeron, attributed to Anastasios of Sinai (ob. post 700) is one of the most extensive mystical allegories surviving from the Byzantine era. The author offers in twelve books an anagogical exegesis of the first three chapters of Genesis.
Original language
English
Physical description
495 p.; 6.75 inches
ISBN
8872103576 / 9788872103579
Local notes
Anastasius: abbot of St Catherine's Monastery, Mount Sinai.
"The Hexaemeron, attributed to Anastasius of Sinai (ob. post 700), is one of the most extensive mystical allegories surviving from the Byzantine era. Written in response to a request for guidance by one Theophilus, the author offers in twelve books an anagogical exegesis of the first three chapters of Genesis. Referring to the letters of Paul, he warns against an exclusively literal reading of Scripture. He urges, rather, that one be open to the Spirit beyond the words; it is only then that one can receive the complete meaning. The author insists that Moses, inspired by the Holy Spirit, was writing not only about the creation of the visible and transient world, but also about the new creation through Christ. Thus Adam represents the Savior, and Eve represents the Church, his eternal bride. The author has little patience for heresies, which he thinks rise largely from a too literal reading of Scripture. To support his typological reading, the author refers to the early Fathers and exegetes, especially Clement of Alexandria, the two Gregorys from Cappadocia, Ps.-Dionysius the Areopagite, and even Origen. He does, however, condemn Origen for ignoring the literal and seeing everything exclusively as symbolic. The Hexaemeron reveals an early Byzantine view of the cosmos, a genuine affection for Egypt, and an exceptionally strong love and devotion to Christ and the Church."
"The allegorical interpretations of Genesis in the Hexaemeron by Anastasius are in many ways a counterpoint to the more literal Hexaemeron written by Basil the Great."
"The Hexaemeron, attributed to Anastasius of Sinai (ob. post 700), is one of the most extensive mystical allegories surviving from the Byzantine era. Written in response to a request for guidance by one Theophilus, the author offers in twelve books an anagogical exegesis of the first three chapters of Genesis. Referring to the letters of Paul, he warns against an exclusively literal reading of Scripture. He urges, rather, that one be open to the Spirit beyond the words; it is only then that one can receive the complete meaning. The author insists that Moses, inspired by the Holy Spirit, was writing not only about the creation of the visible and transient world, but also about the new creation through Christ. Thus Adam represents the Savior, and Eve represents the Church, his eternal bride. The author has little patience for heresies, which he thinks rise largely from a too literal reading of Scripture. To support his typological reading, the author refers to the early Fathers and exegetes, especially Clement of Alexandria, the two Gregorys from Cappadocia, Ps.-Dionysius the Areopagite, and even Origen. He does, however, condemn Origen for ignoring the literal and seeing everything exclusively as symbolic. The Hexaemeron reveals an early Byzantine view of the cosmos, a genuine affection for Egypt, and an exceptionally strong love and devotion to Christ and the Church."
"The allegorical interpretations of Genesis in the Hexaemeron by Anastasius are in many ways a counterpoint to the more literal Hexaemeron written by Basil the Great."