Holy Fools in Byzantium and BeyondOUP Oxford, 2006 M04 6 - 492 pages There are saints in Orthodox Christian culture who overturn the conventional concept of sainthood. Their conduct may be unruly and salacious, they may blaspheme and even kill - yet, mysteriously, those around them treat them with even more reverence. Such saints are called 'holy fools'. In this pioneering study Sergey A. Ivanov examines the phenomenon of holy foolery from a cultural standpoint. He identifies its prerequisites and its development in religious thought, and traces the emergence of the first hagiographic texts describing these paradoxical saints. He describes the beginnings of holy foolery in Egyptian monasteries of the fifth century, followed by its high point in the cities of Byzantium, with an eventual decline in the twelfth to fourteenth centuries. He also compares the important Russian tradition of holy fools, which in some form has survived to this day. |
From inside the book
Results 1-5 of 54
Page 5
... becomes a mirror for those who mock poverty and impotence, and as such he mocks poverty and impotence. The laughter of the holy fool is the laughter of a world which is horrified by its own reflection in the mirror.'12 Yet however ...
... becomes a mirror for those who mock poverty and impotence, and as such he mocks poverty and impotence. The laughter of the holy fool is the laughter of a world which is horrified by its own reflection in the mirror.'12 Yet however ...
Page 19
... become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of the world is foolishness with God. (1 Cor. 1:20, 22–3, 27; 3:18–19) These words have been cited throughout the ages as the theoretical foundation of holy foolery. But Paul himself ...
... become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of the world is foolishness with God. (1 Cor. 1:20, 22–3, 27; 3:18–19) These words have been cited throughout the ages as the theoretical foundation of holy foolery. But Paul himself ...
Page 21
... become sensible (öæüíØìïØ), though we have recognized God? Why are we dying in foolishness (ìøæ ̃øò).'17 Ignatios was not, of course, talking about life skills. A Christian was bound to reckon earthly practical intelligence to be the ...
... become sensible (öæüíØìïØ), though we have recognized God? Why are we dying in foolishness (ìøæ ̃øò).'17 Ignatios was not, of course, talking about life skills. A Christian was bound to reckon earthly practical intelligence to be the ...
Page 30
... become foolish for the Lord's sake (ìøæeò äØa ôeí Œıæßïí), the Lord shall make him wise (óıíåôßóåØ)';45 'either avoid people or mock the world (ìðÆØîïí ôeí Œüóìïí) and people, making yourself out to be a fool (ìøæüí)'.46 Although such ...
... become foolish for the Lord's sake (ìøæeò äØa ôeí Œıæßïí), the Lord shall make him wise (óıíåôßóåØ)';45 'either avoid people or mock the world (ìðÆØîïí ôeí Œüóìïí) and people, making yourself out to be a fool (ìøæüí)'.46 Although such ...
Page 33
... become a religious term, it did not disappear entirely from colloquial, everyday secular usage61 (see below, p. 205). In Christian texts the word salos is initially applied to. 58 C. Butler (ed.), The Lausiac History of Palladius, ii ...
... become a religious term, it did not disappear entirely from colloquial, everyday secular usage61 (see below, p. 205). In Christian texts the word salos is initially applied to. 58 C. Butler (ed.), The Lausiac History of Palladius, ii ...
Contents
1 | |
11 | |
2 Insane Saints | 49 |
3 Lechers and Beggars | 66 |
4 Holy Scandal | 104 |
5 The Second Edition of Holy Foolery | 139 |
6 The New Theologians | 174 |
7 Balancing at the Edge | 195 |
10 The Iurodivyi and the Tsar | 285 |
11 Iurodstvo in an Age of Transition | 311 |
12 Iurodstvo Meets Modernity | 345 |
13 The Eastern Periphery | 359 |
14 The Western Periphery | 374 |
Conclusion | 399 |
Bibliography | 415 |
Index | 457 |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
According already Andrew appears asked became become began behaviour believe blessed Byzantine called canon century Christ Christ’s sake Christian church clothes cultural death demons early elder Emesa episode example fact father foolishness gave give God’s Greek hagiographer hand Hieromonk holy fool holy foolery Ibid icon insanity Ioann iurodivyi iurodstvo Ivan John late later legend Leningrad Leontios lived look madman manuscripts means mentioned monastery monk Moscow motif naked never ŒÆd once original Paris Paul person playing popular possessed pretended prophet referred regarded righteous Russian saint salos sanctity secret seems sense servants spiritual St Petersburg story Studies Symeon tale tells things took town tradition transl translated tsar turned Vasilii vita walked woman women Zhitie