Product Description

Since the time of the early Church, Orthodox Christians have honored Mary, the Mother of God, with special solemnity on August 15. From the sixth century on, that celebration has been explicitly associated with her death, as the culmination of a human life uniquely "full of grace," uniquely involved in the Mystery of our salvation and transformation in Christ. This volume brings together the earliest attempts by Greek theologians and preachers to interpret Mary's Dormition, or 'falling asleep' in the Lord, in the light of the whole Paschal Mystery. The collection includes the sermon of Bishop John of Thessalonica, the earliest "official" retelling by an Orthodox bishop of the traditional narrative of Mary's entry into heavenly glory, and eleven other homilies from the seventh and eighth centuries, as well as a metrical translations of St John of Damascus' canon for the feast. All of the works gathered here represent profound and original efforts to integrate the celebration of Mary's death into the wider context of the Christian theology of redemption. Most of these works have never been translated into English before, and some are not available in any modern language. They offer Christian readers of all Churches an unparalleled new glimpse of Mary's central importance in Christian faith and spirituality: as the one in whom God's Word has become human, and in whom the community of Jesus' disciples sees the first full realization of its own share in the risen life of Christ. In the event and the liturgical celebration of her Dormition, these ancient preachers offer to us a kind of icon of Christian hope for the transfiguration of our common humanity, both at the time of our own "falling asleep" and at the end of history. On the Dormition of Mary is part of the POPULAR PATRISTIC SERIES.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #625481 in Books
• Published on: 1997-11-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 269 pages

Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Greek

Customer Reviews

Great preaching never ages
The writings of the early church fathers are always a source of profound yet practical teaching. These are some of the best of early homilies during the age of the great orators for the faith such as Theoteknos, John Chrysostom, and John of Damascus. They are at once poetic and didactic.

They draw out the early Church teachings that convey the long-standing assertion of such Marian doctrines as, the immaculate conception, perpetual virginity, and the dormition/assumption of Mary. But, in addition, they hold references to the primacy of Peter, apostolic succession, and sacred tradition. Contrary to popular belief, these homilies convey how fully formed these "Catholic" doctrines were very early on in the church.

But they are not only valuable in their historical significance but valuable in their example of solid catechesis in the context of passionate preaching. Solid catechesis need not be dry and dispassionate - on the contrary it should be vibrant and moving. Teachers and preachers would do well to hone their gifts by reading the great preachers and teachers that have gone before us. This would be a great place to start.

These are great homilies of the ancient faith that never ages. A must have for any early church library.