Editarea și comentariul vieții Sfinților Doctori fără de arginți, în secolul al IX-lea
Transcending Illness and the Significance of Mission: A Biblical Narrative

Author(s): Ioan Panaiotópulos
Contributor(s): Ion-Marian Croitoru (Translator)
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Theology and Religion, Pastoral Theology
Published by: Ideas Forum International Academic and Scientific Association
Keywords: Saints Cosmas and Damian; the Holy Unmercenaries; Constantinople; Monastery of the Holy Unmercenaries (Kosmidion); Raymond Janin; Cyril Mango; Halûk Çetinkaya; Paulinos; Emperor Theodosius II; Empress
Summary/Abstract: The document, titled The Edition and Commentary of the Life of the Holy Unmercenaries in the 9th Century, authored by Professor Ioannis A. Panagiotopoulos from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, explores the historical and hagiographical tradition surrounding Saints Cosmas and Damian. It examines their veneration in Constantinople, highlighting the numerous churches and monasteries dedicated to them. Among these, the Monastery of the Holy Unmercenaries (Kosmidion) is particularly emphasized. The document discusses different theories regarding its exact location, referencing scholars such as Raymond Janin, Cyril Mango, and Halûk Çetinkaya, who have placed it in different areas of the city. The study also delves into the foundation of the monastery, traditionally linked to Paulinos, a courtier of Emperor Theodosius II (408–450), who was accused of an affair with Empress Eudocia. His miraculous survival, attributed to the intervention of the Saints, led to the completion of the monastery around 439. The monastery was later restored by Emperor Justinian, but suffered destruction during the Avar invasions. A significant portion of the text is devoted to the miraculous healings attributed to Saints Cosmas and Damian. The oldest collection of their miracles, dating to the 6th or early 7th century, documents numerous cases where the Saints appeared in dreams to heal believers. The text draws comparisons with other hagiographical traditions, such as the miracles of Saints Cyrus and John of Alexandria. The three different pairs of Saints Cosmas and Damian venerated in Christian tradition are also analyzed: 1) The Arabian Martyrs (died under Diocletian, celebrated on October 17); 2) The Roman Martyrs (martyred under Carinus, celebrated on July 1); The Asia Minor Saints, who died peacefully and were commemorated on November 1. A key focus is on the 9th- century edition and commentary of the saints’ life by Patriarch Methodius of Constantinople (843-847). His work, which included annotations on their Roman martyrdom, aimed to clarify their distinct feast days. However, much of his hagiographical material was later overshadowed by Saint Symeon Metaphrastes, whose reworkings led to the loss of earlier texts. The document concludes by emphasizing the importance of Methodius’ work in preserving the Byzantine hagiographical tradition and understanding 9th-century theological discourse. Despite later editorial interventions, his contributions remain valuable for the study of ecclesiastical history and the veneration of Saints in the Byzantine world.

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