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The Invention and Demonisation of an Ascetic Heresiarch: Philoxenus of Mabbug on the "Messalian' Adelphius

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Lunn-Rockliffe, Sophie 

Abstract

jats:pIn a letter to the monk Patricius, Philoxenus told a cautionary tale about the downfall of the monk Adelphius. He was said to have accepted a Satanic vision of the Holy Spirit, abandoned ascetic labour and become the founder of the heresy of the ‘Messalians’. This article places Philoxenus’ account against the longer background of the invention of ‘Messaliainism’, and in particular of Adelphius as Messalian heresiarch. It shows how Philoxenus drew on traditions about monks receiving Satanic visions found in ascetic literature. It also demonstrates that Philoxenus’ story reflected polemical claims that the Messalians, like other heretics, were inspired by demons and Satan.</jats:p>

Description

Keywords

5004 Religious Studies, 50 Philosophy and Religious Studies

Journal Title

JOURNAL OF ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0022-0469
1469-7637

Volume Title

68

Publisher

Cambridge University Press (CUP)