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The Image of the Virgin Mary in the Akathistos Hymn
Series: - The Medieval Mediterranean, Volume: 35
Author:
The Akathistos Hymn, the most famous work of Byzantine hymnography, has been enshrined in the Orthodox liturgy since the year 626, and its image of the Virgin Mary has exerted a strong influence upon Marian poetry and literature. Anonymous, undated and highly rhetorical, the hymn has presented a challenge to scholars over the years.
This study has been undertaken by an innovative method. The approach brings new insights to the era which brought forth the hymn, and the metaphorical image of the Virgin becomes conceptually accessible to the modern-day reader. The investigation leads to the conclusion that the Council of Ephesus (431) constitutes the most likely historical context for the hymn's composition.
The book will be of value to all scholars of early Byzantine and Marian studies.
This study has been undertaken by an innovative method. The approach brings new insights to the era which brought forth the hymn, and the metaphorical image of the Virgin becomes conceptually accessible to the modern-day reader. The investigation leads to the conclusion that the Council of Ephesus (431) constitutes the most likely historical context for the hymn's composition.
The book will be of value to all scholars of early Byzantine and Marian studies.
Leena Mari Peltomaa, Ph.D. (2000) in Classical Philology (Greek), University of Helsinki, is working among a team of international scholars researching early Mariology. Her concern is to chart the stages in the origin of the cult of Mary.
Abbreviations
Acknowledgements
Preface
The Akathistos Hymn (Greek text with parallel translation) 1
1. Introduction 21
2. Description of the Hymn 31
3. State of the Research 40
4. A New Approach to the Akathistos Hymn 49
5. The Image: A Structural Analysis 115
6. Epilogue 217
Bibliography 219
The References to Christ in the Akathistos Hymn 231
Index of Greek Words Appearing in the Akathistos Hymn 233
General Index 240
Acknowledgements
Preface
The Akathistos Hymn (Greek text with parallel translation) 1
1. Introduction 21
2. Description of the Hymn 31
3. State of the Research 40
4. A New Approach to the Akathistos Hymn 49
5. The Image: A Structural Analysis 115
6. Epilogue 217
Bibliography 219
The References to Christ in the Akathistos Hymn 231
Index of Greek Words Appearing in the Akathistos Hymn 233
General Index 240
Byzantinists; early Church historians and theologians; Mariologists and all who are interested in the cult of Mary and its origins; Orthodox Christians who are familiar with the Akathistos tradition.