About the Significance of Some of the Gestures Presented in the Life of St. Theodosius the Great by Drag684 from the 16th century
About the Significance of Some of the Gestures Presented in the Life of St. Theodosius the Great by Drag684 from the 16th century

Summary/Abstract: The aim of this study is an attempt to reconstruct and show the symbolism of gestures, which is found in the Life of St. Theodosius the Great in manuscript Drag684, dating from the 16th century. The venerable Theodosius was born in 424 in Cappadoccia, not far from Jerusalem. He founded his monastery, which still exists today and which became later the Monastery of St.Theodosius. He was the founder and organizer of the cenobitic way of monastic life in Palestine and that is why he was called Theodosius the Cenobiarch. Saint Theodosius accomplished many healings and other miracles during his life, coming to the aid of the needy. Also presented are the various theories and classifications of medieval gestures, presented in the studies of various scholars in the person of Jean-Claude Schmidt, Jacques Le Goff, E. Bakalova, and others. In medieval culture, gestures can be broadly classified as canonical and non-canonical.The bow can be classified as a canonical gesture. In the hagiographic text presented, it is part of the gesture system and is characterized by etiquette and emblematic in the social-communicative relations between people. Sometimes the bow is accompanied by a respectful welcome kiss, this time the ceremonial and importance of the meeting are especially emphasized. The non-canonical gestures presented in the Life of St. Theodosius the Great include the pointing gesture, which indicates to the woman with cancer where the saint is. The gesture also shows the sick place as she touches the saint’s garment to receive healing.

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