Missionary Stories and the Formation of the Syriac Churches

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Christianity, Church, Church History
Cover of the book Missionary Stories and the Formation of the Syriac Churches by Jeanne-Nicole Mellon Saint-Laurent, University of California Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Jeanne-Nicole Mellon Saint-Laurent ISBN: 9780520960589
Publisher: University of California Press Publication: June 19, 2015
Imprint: University of California Press Language: English
Author: Jeanne-Nicole Mellon Saint-Laurent
ISBN: 9780520960589
Publisher: University of California Press
Publication: June 19, 2015
Imprint: University of California Press
Language: English

Missionary Stories and the Formation of the Syriac Churches analyzes the hagiographic traditions of seven missionary saints in the Syriac heritage during late antiquity: Thomas, Addai, Mari, John of Ephesus, Simeon of Beth Arsham, Jacob Baradaeus, and Ahudemmeh. Jeanne-Nicole Mellon Saint-Laurent studies a body of legends about the missionaries’ voyages in the Syrian Orient to illustrate their shared symbols and motifs. Revealing how these texts encapsulated the concerns of the communities that produced them, she draws attention to the role of hagiography as a malleable genre that was well-suited for the idealized presentation of the beginnings of Christian communities. Hagiographers, through their reworking of missionary themes, asserted autonomy, orthodoxy, and apostolicity for their individual civic and monastic communities, positioning themselves in relationship to the rulers of their empires and to competing forms of Christianity. Saint-Laurent argues that missionary hagiography is an important and neglected source for understanding the development of the East and West Syriac ecclesiastical bodies: the Syrian Orthodox Church and the Church of the East. Given that many of these Syriac-speaking churches remain today in the Middle East and India, with diaspora communities in Europe and North America, this work opens the door for further study of the role of saints and stories as symbolic links between ancient and modern traditions.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Missionary Stories and the Formation of the Syriac Churches analyzes the hagiographic traditions of seven missionary saints in the Syriac heritage during late antiquity: Thomas, Addai, Mari, John of Ephesus, Simeon of Beth Arsham, Jacob Baradaeus, and Ahudemmeh. Jeanne-Nicole Mellon Saint-Laurent studies a body of legends about the missionaries’ voyages in the Syrian Orient to illustrate their shared symbols and motifs. Revealing how these texts encapsulated the concerns of the communities that produced them, she draws attention to the role of hagiography as a malleable genre that was well-suited for the idealized presentation of the beginnings of Christian communities. Hagiographers, through their reworking of missionary themes, asserted autonomy, orthodoxy, and apostolicity for their individual civic and monastic communities, positioning themselves in relationship to the rulers of their empires and to competing forms of Christianity. Saint-Laurent argues that missionary hagiography is an important and neglected source for understanding the development of the East and West Syriac ecclesiastical bodies: the Syrian Orthodox Church and the Church of the East. Given that many of these Syriac-speaking churches remain today in the Middle East and India, with diaspora communities in Europe and North America, this work opens the door for further study of the role of saints and stories as symbolic links between ancient and modern traditions.

More books from University of California Press

Cover of the book The Origins of the Lebanese National Idea by Jeanne-Nicole Mellon Saint-Laurent
Cover of the book Warfare and Agriculture in Classical Greece, Revised edition by Jeanne-Nicole Mellon Saint-Laurent
Cover of the book Blood and Water by Jeanne-Nicole Mellon Saint-Laurent
Cover of the book The Wherewithal of Life by Jeanne-Nicole Mellon Saint-Laurent
Cover of the book The Maternal Factor by Jeanne-Nicole Mellon Saint-Laurent
Cover of the book The Prison School by Jeanne-Nicole Mellon Saint-Laurent
Cover of the book The Big Push by Jeanne-Nicole Mellon Saint-Laurent
Cover of the book Life along the Silk Road by Jeanne-Nicole Mellon Saint-Laurent
Cover of the book David Brower by Jeanne-Nicole Mellon Saint-Laurent
Cover of the book Vita by Jeanne-Nicole Mellon Saint-Laurent
Cover of the book Forging the Ideal Educated Girl by Jeanne-Nicole Mellon Saint-Laurent
Cover of the book A Bat Man in the Tropics by Jeanne-Nicole Mellon Saint-Laurent
Cover of the book Reversible Destiny by Jeanne-Nicole Mellon Saint-Laurent
Cover of the book Good Quality by Jeanne-Nicole Mellon Saint-Laurent
Cover of the book Black Handsworth by Jeanne-Nicole Mellon Saint-Laurent
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy