DIONYSIUS AREOPAGITES IN THE WORKS OF SAINT GREGORY PALAMAS: ON THE QUESTION OF A «CHRISTOLOGICAL CORRECTIVE» AND RELATED MATTERS
Hieromonk Alexander
Citations of the Corpus Dionysiacum are exceedingly frequent in works Gregory Palamas. Much, indeed, latter's Triads Defense Holy Hesychasts is devoted to interpretation Areopagite, most often counter argument reading Dionysius insisted on by Palamas' opponent through-out , Barlaam Calabrian. In his seminal work St. Gregory, late Father John Meyendorff was clearly troubled this Dionysian ubiquity Doctor Hesychasm, particularly since accepted prevailing scholarly view as, at best, a dubious Christian. response «problem», that supplied «Christological corrective» i.e., diluted or even eliminated notion hierarchy as mediated knowledge favor assertion Christ's immediate availability believer. Palamas thus re-interprets Dionysius, baptizes him, it were. Throughout studies, effectively equates proper corpus with Barlaam's interpretation. This article argues that, contrary, Gregory's much better Areopagite than either more modern scholars, and key insight lies ascetical mystical tradition Christian East common both. Certain passages from singled out recently Professor Adolf Ritter proving Meyenforff's thesis taken up second section article. Read closely, an eye both prior literature own roots ancient apocalypses, question, Dionsyian texts which they based, reveal understanding. The then turns brief analysis himself, its relation revealed especially eighth epistle corpus. correctives» emerges sum construct without serious question.
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