The Invention and Demonisation of an Ascetic Heresiarch: Philoxenus of Mabbug on the "Messalian' Adelphius
View / Open Files
Authors
Lunn-Rockliffe, Sophie
Publication Date
2017Journal Title
JOURNAL OF ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY
ISSN
0022-0469
Publisher
Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Volume
68
Issue
3
Language
en
Type
Article
Metadata
Show full item recordCitation
Lunn-Rockliffe, S. (2017). The Invention and Demonisation of an Ascetic Heresiarch: Philoxenus of Mabbug on the "Messalian' Adelphius. JOURNAL OF ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY, 68 (3) https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022046916002839
Abstract
<jats:p>In 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>
Identifiers
External DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022046916002839
This record's URL: https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/282953
Rights
Licence:
http://www.rioxx.net/licenses/all-rights-reserved
Statistics
Total file downloads (since January 2020). For more information on metrics see the
IRUS guide.
Recommended or similar items
The current recommendation prototype on the Apollo Repository will be turned off on 03 February 2023. Although the pilot has been fruitful for both parties, the service provider IKVA is focusing on horizon scanning products and so the recommender service can no longer be supported. We recognise the importance of recommender services in supporting research discovery and are evaluating offerings from other service providers. If you would like to offer feedback on this decision please contact us on: support@repository.cam.ac.uk