Connor T.
Epiphanius was a Palestinian monk that would eventually become a bishop in Cyprus. He was a prominent heresiologist of his time, and wrote an 80 chapter book entitled “Panarion” (Medicine Chest) in which he catalogued all known heresies and gave descriptions on how to “cure” them. This selection of the “Medicine Chest” dealt with the sect of Christians known as “the Nazoraeans”, which Epiphanius saw as a heresy.
He begins by stating that all early Christians were at one time known as Nazoraens (and later “Jesseans”), until disciples began to be called “Christians” at Antioch. He lays out the genealogy of Jesus through Mary and explains the nature and relationship between priests and kings. All kings (until the arrival of Christ) were descendents of David, as well as anointed priests. This ended under King Herod and Emperor Augustus. With Christ, the rank of king passed from a tangible bloodline to the church. Epiphanius then talks of Philo’s historical writings regarding his observation of early Christians in a place called Mareotis during Passover. Philo observes that some of them eat every other day. After this he makes sure to make the distinction that Naazoraens are not to be confused with “nazirites” which were consecrated people. He again harps on the fact that during Christianity’s beginnings all Christians were called Nazoraens, explaining that this is due to Jesus being from Nazareth.
Epiphanius towards the end finally begins to attack the sect. He claims that they are not Christian at all but merely Jews. He claims their usage of both the New and Old Testament classifies them as Jewish. He condemns their knowledge of Hebrew, as well as their Hebrew version of the Gospel of Matthew. Epiphanius spends a sizeable amount of time arguing the wrongs of circumcision which the Nazoraens practice. He states that neither the Jews nor Christians accept them, going as far as claiming that every day the Jews pray for their demise. He concludes with the notion that we as Christians have enlightened this group with truth and that we must pray for help from God and continue onto the next heretical sect.
Epiphanius was a Palestinian monk that would eventually become a bishop in Cyprus. He was a prominent heresiologist of his time, and wrote an 80 chapter book entitled “Panarion” (Medicine Chest) in which he catalogued all known heresies and gave descriptions on how to “cure” them. This selection of the “Medicine Chest” dealt with the sect of Christians known as “the Nazoraeans”, which Epiphanius saw as a heresy.
He begins by stating that all early Christians were at one time known as Nazoraens (and later “Jesseans”), until disciples began to be called “Christians” at Antioch. He lays out the genealogy of Jesus through Mary and explains the nature and relationship between priests and kings. All kings (until the arrival of Christ) were descendents of David, as well as anointed priests. This ended under King Herod and Emperor Augustus. With Christ, the rank of king passed from a tangible bloodline to the church. Epiphanius then talks of Philo’s historical writings regarding his observation of early Christians in a place called Mareotis during Passover. Philo observes that some of them eat every other day. After this he makes sure to make the distinction that Naazoraens are not to be confused with “nazirites” which were consecrated people. He again harps on the fact that during Christianity’s beginnings all Christians were called Nazoraens, explaining that this is due to Jesus being from Nazareth.
Epiphanius towards the end finally begins to attack the sect. He claims that they are not Christian at all but merely Jews. He claims their usage of both the New and Old Testament classifies them as Jewish. He condemns their knowledge of Hebrew, as well as their Hebrew version of the Gospel of Matthew. Epiphanius spends a sizeable amount of time arguing the wrongs of circumcision which the Nazoraens practice. He states that neither the Jews nor Christians accept them, going as far as claiming that every day the Jews pray for their demise. He concludes with the notion that we as Christians have enlightened this group with truth and that we must pray for help from God and continue onto the next heretical sect.