Virgin Mary in Byzantium, c.400-1000 : : Hymns, Homilies and Hagiography / / Mary B. Cunningham.
The Virgin Mary assumed a position of central importance in Byzantium. This book examines her portrayal in liturgical texts during the first six centuries of Byzantine history. Focusing on three main literary genres that celebrated this holy figure, it highlights the ways in which writers adapted th...
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| Place / Publishing House: | Cambridge ;, New York, NY : : Cambridge University Press,, 2021. |
| Year of Publication: | 2021 |
| Edition: | First edition. |
| Language: | English |
| Physical Description: | 1 online resource (xi, 275 pages) |
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| Summary: | The Virgin Mary assumed a position of central importance in Byzantium. This book examines her portrayal in liturgical texts during the first six centuries of Byzantine history. Focusing on three main literary genres that celebrated this holy figure, it highlights the ways in which writers adapted their messages for different audiences. Mary is portrayed variously as defender of the imperial city, Constantinople, virginal Mother of God, and ascetic disciple of Christ. Preachers, hymnographers, and hagiographers used rhetoric to enhance Mary's powerful status in Eastern Christian society, depicting her as virgin and mother, warrior and ascetic, human and semi-divine being. Their paradoxical statements were based on the fundamental mystery that Mary embodied: she was the mother of Christ, the Word of God, who provided him with the human nature that he assumed in his incarnation. Dr Cunningham's authoritative study makes a major contribution to the history of Christianity. |
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| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references and index. |
| ISBN: | 1009327224 1009327232 1009327240 |
| Hierarchical level: | Monograph |
| Statement of Responsibility: | Mary B. Cunningham. |