The life of pelagia
Elaine B.
The hagiographic account, The Life of Pelagia, is a captivating story of redemption and restoration. Set in the Syrian capital of Antioch, the story is told through the eyes of Jacob, a deacon serving under the bishop, Nonnos. This theme of the harlot made holy was popular during Late Antiquity through the Middle Ages. This rendition utilizes motifs of divine inspirations, miraculous transformations, and culminates with a life of ascetic piety that was celebrated by the community.
The first encounter between Nonnos and the prostitute, Pelagia, known at the time to the people of Antioch as Marganito, led a divine inspiration for each of them. Nonnos and the other bishops are sitting outside when Pelagia, riding on an ass, passes by with her entourage. Her adornments and manner of dress were provocative and the bishops all hid their eyes with their clothing – except for Nonnos. He observed Pelagia closely. He noted the attention Pelagia had given to prepare herself to please her customers, and he was deeply moved. Nonnos lamented his failure to devote such attention to prepare himself for serving God. As he expounded on this, Nonnos told his fellow bishops that they should all be more like the prostitute in this respect. The bishops were moved by his heart-felt appeal and they choose Nonnos to provide the homily at the next church service. It is during this teaching that Nonnos, who had been inspired by his observation of Pelagia, speaks the words that will serve as an inspiration to her.
Moved by a divine call, Pelagia went to the place where the holy bishop was teaching. Upon hearing the message, Pelagia became aware of her wickedness and was deeply grieved. Pelagia was inspired to leave her sinful life and convert to a life of Christianity. She appeals to the bishop for his help in securing her salvation. This is how Pelagia, inspired by an inspired teacher, begins her process of transformation.
The transformation Pelagia undergoes results in her completely turning away from her former life. After Pelagia demonstrates her willingness to depart from her sinful ways, she is baptized and her given name, Pelagia, not her common name, offered to God. Following her baptism, a male figure, a Satan, tries to lure her back to her former ways; she rebukes him three times. While still wearing the baptismal robes, she arranges to free her slaves and gives her vast wealth to Nonnos to disperse. In the days following the baptism Pelagia encouraged other prostitutes to do as she had done. When it came time to put on ordinary clothes after the bridal days following the baptism, Pelagia undertook a physical transformation that demonstrated total commitment to her spiritual change – she assumed a masculine persona.
Nonnos also played a role in this conversion; he provided some of his own clothing for Pelagia. She left under cover of darkness for Jerusalem, to live her life as a eunuch monk named Pelagios. She developed a reputation for great piety. Upon her death, the truth of her gender was discovered, but her fellow monks considered the deception proof of God’s hidden saints in the world. Pelagia was honored after her death because of her righteousness that brought much glory to God.
The story of Pelagia’s life is both simple and complex. The most notable aspect of the story is the Pelagia concealing her identity and passing herself as a eunuch so she can live her ascetic life in peace. I am not convinced this is the most significant aspect of the story. In Sacred Fictions: Holy Women and Hagiography in Late Antiquity, Lynda Coon states, “Nonnus and Pelagia share an intense, erotic passion” (81). Here, I believe is the significant aspect of this story. The relationship between Nonnos and Pelagia, one of longing and desire, of chastity and lust, of servitude and service, all represent the relationship of Christ and the church.
While Nonnos was sorting out his confusing feelings after encountering Pelagia, he engaged in prayer and fasting and received a vision of a dove. In his vision, a sullied dove appears while he is teaching at the alter. The muddy dove departs before the teaching of the Mysteries, but appears again when Nonnos leaves the sanctuary. He captures the dove and washes it clean and it flies off to the heavens (14-15). This dove can be perceived as Pelagia, but it is also the church as a whole – dirty and unworthy of the Mysteries. Christ provided the cleansing; the church is free.
Bibliography
Coon, Lynda. Sacred Fictions: Holy Women and Hagiography in Late Antiquity. Philadelphia:
University of Pennsylvania Press, 1997.
Ehrman, Bart and Andrew Jacobs. Christianity in Late Antiquity: 300-450 C.E. A Reader. New
York: Oxford University Press, 2004.
The hagiographic account, The Life of Pelagia, is a captivating story of redemption and restoration. Set in the Syrian capital of Antioch, the story is told through the eyes of Jacob, a deacon serving under the bishop, Nonnos. This theme of the harlot made holy was popular during Late Antiquity through the Middle Ages. This rendition utilizes motifs of divine inspirations, miraculous transformations, and culminates with a life of ascetic piety that was celebrated by the community.
The first encounter between Nonnos and the prostitute, Pelagia, known at the time to the people of Antioch as Marganito, led a divine inspiration for each of them. Nonnos and the other bishops are sitting outside when Pelagia, riding on an ass, passes by with her entourage. Her adornments and manner of dress were provocative and the bishops all hid their eyes with their clothing – except for Nonnos. He observed Pelagia closely. He noted the attention Pelagia had given to prepare herself to please her customers, and he was deeply moved. Nonnos lamented his failure to devote such attention to prepare himself for serving God. As he expounded on this, Nonnos told his fellow bishops that they should all be more like the prostitute in this respect. The bishops were moved by his heart-felt appeal and they choose Nonnos to provide the homily at the next church service. It is during this teaching that Nonnos, who had been inspired by his observation of Pelagia, speaks the words that will serve as an inspiration to her.
Moved by a divine call, Pelagia went to the place where the holy bishop was teaching. Upon hearing the message, Pelagia became aware of her wickedness and was deeply grieved. Pelagia was inspired to leave her sinful life and convert to a life of Christianity. She appeals to the bishop for his help in securing her salvation. This is how Pelagia, inspired by an inspired teacher, begins her process of transformation.
The transformation Pelagia undergoes results in her completely turning away from her former life. After Pelagia demonstrates her willingness to depart from her sinful ways, she is baptized and her given name, Pelagia, not her common name, offered to God. Following her baptism, a male figure, a Satan, tries to lure her back to her former ways; she rebukes him three times. While still wearing the baptismal robes, she arranges to free her slaves and gives her vast wealth to Nonnos to disperse. In the days following the baptism Pelagia encouraged other prostitutes to do as she had done. When it came time to put on ordinary clothes after the bridal days following the baptism, Pelagia undertook a physical transformation that demonstrated total commitment to her spiritual change – she assumed a masculine persona.
Nonnos also played a role in this conversion; he provided some of his own clothing for Pelagia. She left under cover of darkness for Jerusalem, to live her life as a eunuch monk named Pelagios. She developed a reputation for great piety. Upon her death, the truth of her gender was discovered, but her fellow monks considered the deception proof of God’s hidden saints in the world. Pelagia was honored after her death because of her righteousness that brought much glory to God.
The story of Pelagia’s life is both simple and complex. The most notable aspect of the story is the Pelagia concealing her identity and passing herself as a eunuch so she can live her ascetic life in peace. I am not convinced this is the most significant aspect of the story. In Sacred Fictions: Holy Women and Hagiography in Late Antiquity, Lynda Coon states, “Nonnus and Pelagia share an intense, erotic passion” (81). Here, I believe is the significant aspect of this story. The relationship between Nonnos and Pelagia, one of longing and desire, of chastity and lust, of servitude and service, all represent the relationship of Christ and the church.
While Nonnos was sorting out his confusing feelings after encountering Pelagia, he engaged in prayer and fasting and received a vision of a dove. In his vision, a sullied dove appears while he is teaching at the alter. The muddy dove departs before the teaching of the Mysteries, but appears again when Nonnos leaves the sanctuary. He captures the dove and washes it clean and it flies off to the heavens (14-15). This dove can be perceived as Pelagia, but it is also the church as a whole – dirty and unworthy of the Mysteries. Christ provided the cleansing; the church is free.
Bibliography
Coon, Lynda. Sacred Fictions: Holy Women and Hagiography in Late Antiquity. Philadelphia:
University of Pennsylvania Press, 1997.
Ehrman, Bart and Andrew Jacobs. Christianity in Late Antiquity: 300-450 C.E. A Reader. New
York: Oxford University Press, 2004.
The Life of Anthony
Alex B.
In the Life of Anthony there are two major themes removing oneself, and faithful obedience to God. These themes emphasize what it takes to practice asceticism and the encouragement to continue knowing that the Lord will heal you. The significance of what Anthony did is that it inspired people to make monasteries and follow his discipline.
Anthony was born in Egypt and his parents were both Christians. When he was growing up he did not want to go to school because he did not want to be around other kids. This is the first time the theme of isolation is acknowledged in the piece. “It is his complete desire…to live in his house as an unformed person” (368, 369). This did not result in him being lazy or rude; as he grew up he was very kind and obedient to his parents. One day in church he heard “if you wish to be perfect, go sell all your possessions and give the proceeds to the poor, and come, follow me, and you will have treasure in heaven” (Matt 19:21). Upon hearing this he immediately started giving his possessions away. Since he is still responsible for his sister, since his parents died, he made sure she was taken care of financially and sent her to be raised by faithful virgins. The predominance of monasteries had yet to occur which left people who wished to isolate themselves to go to some where just outside their town. The desert was the nearest thing to Anthony and no monks knew the area. Again, the idea of isolation and removing are mentioned. This emphasis is necessary for someone reading it to really understand the importance of being able to remove oneself. Now after deciding where he was going to go, he went to get some guidance and visited a clergyman who taught him some of the principles of asceticism. The first step for Anthony to complete before he left for the desert was to sever all emotional ties to his family and friends. His friends and family understood what he had to do and supported him. This was a necessary step because the devil toys with your emotions and desires, and by detaching himself from them he will be able to fight off the devil. Once in the desert the devil sent many enemies to try and break him. He was tempted by women and lust and Anthony responded with prayer and his fear of the consequence “fire and the torment of the worm” (370). The devil spoke to Anthony and admitted that he was responsible for deceiving people and causing their lust for fornication. After this visitation he realized that he needs not to worry about these temptations because it all is an illusion when you have the Lord as your helper. Anthony knew that this first attack was only the first of many to come because the devil never gives up. Anthony continued to discipline himself by punishing his body with severe training exercises. Anthony did this with ease to the amazement of the people who would visit and learn from him. He ate only once a day and sometimes he would go two days with out eating. His diet consisted of bread, salt, and water. He believed that “the soul’s intellect grows strong when the body’s pleasures are made weak” (371). Anthony was not concerned with keeping track of time and how many days had passed. He treated every day like the first day and wanted to grow stronger and stronger. To discipline himself even more he entered a tomb and slept on the cold hard ground. He would have one acquaintance come and bring him food every few days. The devil visited him in the cave and sent demons which inflicted severe physical wounds that “human beings could not have inflicted” (371). He was taken back to the village to the church and when people came to see him they thought he was dead. Sometime around midnight, he woke up, got up, and then proceeded to go back to the tomb and continue his discipline. The devil sent all different forms to inflict pain upon Anthony; he sent animals of all types. The Lord never forgot about Anthony and would always return to heal his wounds since Anthony was obedient to him. Anthony questioned why he waited to heal him; the answer was that the Lord wanted to see how he overcomes his struggles. Anthony spent around 15 years in the desert; after he left he went back to the clergyman who taught him about asceticism and asked if he would join him in the desert. He respectful declined due to his old age and frailty. Anthony then decided to go up to the mountain and continue his mental training and discipline. There too he was met by the devil. Anthony was there for another 20 years until returning back to the village. When he returned everyone looked at him in amazement because he was in the same condition as he left 20 years prior. This was because the Lord always remembered Anthony and would heal him. Monasteries were built in the desert and mountains as tribute to Anthony and to mimic his training. He became a symbol to everyone and an inspiration for all those who followed his example. Before he died he requested people to bury their dead because the Egyptian tradition was to cover the bodies in linen and surround them with jewelry and possessions. He demanded this because what they were doing was not pious. Anthony wanted to die in the mountain and wanted his body to remain there. In the event that they were to take his body he requested that they bury him and guard his body.
How much of the Life of Anthony was made up by Athanasius is unknown. The book was a 1,000 year best seller because it was so inspirational. One of the criticisms about the emphasis of asceticism brought up by Lynch is that “the reward after death would be same for all Christians who preserved the purity of their baptism and repented for their sins” thus making it not necessary to be an ascetic to get into heaven (202). It is thought that a lot of what could be made up in the book is merely a metaphor for the difficulty and the strength required to practice asceticism. Anthony wanted to do this because he enjoyed being removed from society. The significance of what he did is that he inspired people to create monasteries and mimic what he did.
Works Cited
Ehrman, Bart D. Christianity in Late Antiquity: 300-450 CE. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2004.
Lynch, Joseph. Early Christianity. New York: Oxford University Press, 2010. Print.
In the Life of Anthony there are two major themes removing oneself, and faithful obedience to God. These themes emphasize what it takes to practice asceticism and the encouragement to continue knowing that the Lord will heal you. The significance of what Anthony did is that it inspired people to make monasteries and follow his discipline.
Anthony was born in Egypt and his parents were both Christians. When he was growing up he did not want to go to school because he did not want to be around other kids. This is the first time the theme of isolation is acknowledged in the piece. “It is his complete desire…to live in his house as an unformed person” (368, 369). This did not result in him being lazy or rude; as he grew up he was very kind and obedient to his parents. One day in church he heard “if you wish to be perfect, go sell all your possessions and give the proceeds to the poor, and come, follow me, and you will have treasure in heaven” (Matt 19:21). Upon hearing this he immediately started giving his possessions away. Since he is still responsible for his sister, since his parents died, he made sure she was taken care of financially and sent her to be raised by faithful virgins. The predominance of monasteries had yet to occur which left people who wished to isolate themselves to go to some where just outside their town. The desert was the nearest thing to Anthony and no monks knew the area. Again, the idea of isolation and removing are mentioned. This emphasis is necessary for someone reading it to really understand the importance of being able to remove oneself. Now after deciding where he was going to go, he went to get some guidance and visited a clergyman who taught him some of the principles of asceticism. The first step for Anthony to complete before he left for the desert was to sever all emotional ties to his family and friends. His friends and family understood what he had to do and supported him. This was a necessary step because the devil toys with your emotions and desires, and by detaching himself from them he will be able to fight off the devil. Once in the desert the devil sent many enemies to try and break him. He was tempted by women and lust and Anthony responded with prayer and his fear of the consequence “fire and the torment of the worm” (370). The devil spoke to Anthony and admitted that he was responsible for deceiving people and causing their lust for fornication. After this visitation he realized that he needs not to worry about these temptations because it all is an illusion when you have the Lord as your helper. Anthony knew that this first attack was only the first of many to come because the devil never gives up. Anthony continued to discipline himself by punishing his body with severe training exercises. Anthony did this with ease to the amazement of the people who would visit and learn from him. He ate only once a day and sometimes he would go two days with out eating. His diet consisted of bread, salt, and water. He believed that “the soul’s intellect grows strong when the body’s pleasures are made weak” (371). Anthony was not concerned with keeping track of time and how many days had passed. He treated every day like the first day and wanted to grow stronger and stronger. To discipline himself even more he entered a tomb and slept on the cold hard ground. He would have one acquaintance come and bring him food every few days. The devil visited him in the cave and sent demons which inflicted severe physical wounds that “human beings could not have inflicted” (371). He was taken back to the village to the church and when people came to see him they thought he was dead. Sometime around midnight, he woke up, got up, and then proceeded to go back to the tomb and continue his discipline. The devil sent all different forms to inflict pain upon Anthony; he sent animals of all types. The Lord never forgot about Anthony and would always return to heal his wounds since Anthony was obedient to him. Anthony questioned why he waited to heal him; the answer was that the Lord wanted to see how he overcomes his struggles. Anthony spent around 15 years in the desert; after he left he went back to the clergyman who taught him about asceticism and asked if he would join him in the desert. He respectful declined due to his old age and frailty. Anthony then decided to go up to the mountain and continue his mental training and discipline. There too he was met by the devil. Anthony was there for another 20 years until returning back to the village. When he returned everyone looked at him in amazement because he was in the same condition as he left 20 years prior. This was because the Lord always remembered Anthony and would heal him. Monasteries were built in the desert and mountains as tribute to Anthony and to mimic his training. He became a symbol to everyone and an inspiration for all those who followed his example. Before he died he requested people to bury their dead because the Egyptian tradition was to cover the bodies in linen and surround them with jewelry and possessions. He demanded this because what they were doing was not pious. Anthony wanted to die in the mountain and wanted his body to remain there. In the event that they were to take his body he requested that they bury him and guard his body.
How much of the Life of Anthony was made up by Athanasius is unknown. The book was a 1,000 year best seller because it was so inspirational. One of the criticisms about the emphasis of asceticism brought up by Lynch is that “the reward after death would be same for all Christians who preserved the purity of their baptism and repented for their sins” thus making it not necessary to be an ascetic to get into heaven (202). It is thought that a lot of what could be made up in the book is merely a metaphor for the difficulty and the strength required to practice asceticism. Anthony wanted to do this because he enjoyed being removed from society. The significance of what he did is that he inspired people to create monasteries and mimic what he did.
Works Cited
Ehrman, Bart D. Christianity in Late Antiquity: 300-450 CE. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2004.
Lynch, Joseph. Early Christianity. New York: Oxford University Press, 2010. Print.