The Hungry Are Dying: Beggars and Bishops in Roman Cappadocia (Oxford Studies in Historical Theology)

This study examines the theme of poverty in the fourth-century sermons of Basil of Caesarea, Gregory Nazianzen, and Gregory Nysson. These sermons are especially important for what they tell us about the history of poverty relief and the role of fourth century Christian theology in constructing the body of the redemptive, involuntary poor. Some of the topics explored include the contextualization of the poor in scholarship, the poor in late antiquity, and starvation and famine dynamics. In exploring this relationship between cultural context and theological language, this volume offers a broad and fresh overview of these little-studied texts. MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict MuPDF error: syntax error: invalid key in dict Contents 14 Abbreviations 16 Introduction: Placing the Poor 22 1. Leitourgia and the Poor in the Early Christian World 50 2. Hunger: Famine, Relief, and Identity in Basil's Cappadocia 83 3. Penury and Divine Gift: The Poor as Fiscal Body 118 4. Diseased and Holy: The Peri Philoptochias Sermons and the Transforming Body 154 5. Conclusion: Between Courtyard and Altar 187 Appendix. Three Sermons 202 A. Basil of Caesarea, "In Time of Famine and Drought" 202 B. Gregory of Nyssa, "On the Love of the Poor" 1: "On Good Works" 212 C. Gregory of Nyssa, "On the Love of the Poor" 2: "On the Saying, 'Whoever Has Done It to One of These Has Done It to Me' " 218 Select Bibliography 226 Index 242 A 242 B 242 C 243 D 243 E 244 F 244 G 245 H 245 I 245 J 246 K 246 L 246 M 246 N 247 O 247 P 247 R 248 S 248 T 249 U 249 V 249 W 249 X 250 Ancient Sermons About The Poor Have Often Been Neglected By Scholars In Favor Of More Theological Themes. Susan R. Holman Helps To Redress That Neglect With This Study, The First Book-length Treatment In Any Modern Language To Focus Exclusively On A Collection Of Sermons About Poverty, Starvation, And Disease By Three Leading Christian Bishops Of Late Antiquity: Basil Of Caesarea, Gregory Of Nazianzus, And Gregory Of Nyssa.--jacket. Introduction: Placing The Poor -- 1. Leitourgia And The Poor In The Early Christian World -- 2. Hunger: Famine, Relief, And Identity In Basil's Cappadocia -- 3. Penury And Divine Gift: The Poor As Fiscal Body -- 4. Diseased And Holy: The Peri Philoptochias Sermons And The Transforming Body -- 5. Conclusion: Between Courtyard And Altar -- App. A. Basil Of Caesarea, In Time Of Famine And Drought -- App. B. Gregory Of Nyssa, On The Love Of The Poor 1: On Good Works -- App. C. Gregory Of Nyssa, On The Love Of The Poor 2: On The Saying, 'whoever Has Done It To One Of These Has Done It To Me' Susan R. Holman. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 207-221) And Index. "Ancient sermons about the poor have often been neglected by scholars in favor of more "theological" themes. Susan R. Holman helps to redress that neglect with this study, the first book-length treatment in any modern language to focus exclusively on a collection of sermons about poverty, starvation, and disease by three leading Christian bishops of late Antiquity: Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of Nazianzus, and Gregory of Nyssa."--BOOK JACKET. One morning in the sixth century, in a cave near the Jordan River, as Sisinius the monk was singing the liturgical office for "the third hour," a Saracen Christian woman entered his cave, took off her clothes, and lay down on the floor. This study examines a collection of sermons about poverty, starvation, and disease written by three leading Christian bishops of late antiquity: Basil of Caesarea, Gregory of Nazianzus, and Gregory of Nyssa