Orgies of Words: Mystery Terminology in the “Paraphrase of St. John’s Gospel” by Nonnus of Panopolis

Filip Doroszewski

Published by De Gruyter 2022

Orgies of Words

Mystery Terminology in the “Paraphrase of St. John’s Gospel” by Nonnus of Panopolis

Filip Doroszewski
Translated by: Damian Jasiński

Volume 154 in the series Arbeiten zur Kirchengeschichte

https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110790900

Overview
Contents

About this book

Nonnus’ Paraphrasis, an epic rendition of the Fourth Gospel, offers a highly sophisticated interpretation of the Johannine text. An essential means to this end is extensive use of the imagery related to Greek, and especially Dionysiac, mysteries.

Doroszewski successfully challenges the once predominant view that the mystery terminology in the poem is nothing more than rhetorical ornament. He convincingly argues for an important exegetical role Nonnus gives to the mystery terms. On the one hand, they refer to the Mystery of Christ. Jesus introduces his followers into the new dimension of life and worship that enables them to commune with God. This is portrayed as falling into Bacchic frenzy and being initiated into secret rites. On the other hand, the terminology has a polemical function, too, as Nonnus uses it to present the Judaic cult as bearing the hallmarks of pagan mysteries.

As the book discusses the Paraphrasis against the background of the mystery metaphor development in antiquity, it serves as an excellent introduction to this key feature of the ancient mentality and will appeal to all interested in the culture of Imperial times, especially in Early Christianity, Patristics, Neoplatonism and Late Antique poetry.

Author / Editor information

Filip Doroszewski, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, Poland.

Topics

Frontmatter Publicly Available Download PDF	I
Acknowledgements Publicly Available Download PDF	VII
Contents Publicly Available Download PDF	IX
Foreword Publicly Available Download PDF	XIII
Foreword to the English translation Publicly Available Download PDF	XVII
Abbreviations Publicly Available Download PDF	XIX
Part 1: Introduction
1.1 Ancient mysteries Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	1
1.2 Mystery terminology Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	11
1.3 Nonnus of Panopolis Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	31
1.4 The scope of inquiry Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	39
1.5 Mystery terminology in the Paraphrase Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	45
Part 2: Jesus and Dionysus
2.1 The wedding at Cana of Galilee Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	57
2.2 The failed arrest attempt Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	81
2.3 Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	91
Part 3: Mysterium and mysteries
3.1 The three Passover feasts Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	101
3.2 Jesus and the Samaritan woman Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	131
3.3 The Feast of the Tabernacles Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	145
Part 4: Conclusions
4.1 The role of mystery terminology in the Paraphrase Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	155
Bibliography Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	165
Index graecitatis Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	181
Index locorum Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	185
Index nominum Requires Authentication Unlicensed Licensed Download PDF	197

(Deutsch)

Languages: English, Greek
Publisher: De Gruyter
Original publisher: Wydawnictwo Naukowe Uniwersytetu Mikołaja Kopernika, Torún.
Audience: Scholars and students in Early Christianity, Patristics, Neoplatonism, Late Antique poetry and culture
Pages
- Front matter: 15
- Main content: 199
Keywords: Jesus Christus; Dionysus; Bibelexegese; Griechische Mystik

eBook

Published: August 1, 2022
ISBN: 9783110790900

Hardcover

Published: August 1, 2022
ISBN: 9783110790856