The Festal Letters of Athanasius of Alexandria, with the Festal Index and the Historia Acephala

Athanasius of Alexandria was a champion of orthodoxy and a proponent of the ascetic life. This book presents the first complete English translation of all the known fragments of his Festal Letters, which provide a glimpse into his thought and how he confronted the pastoral challenges of a rapidly changing world. The letters are supplemented by fresh translations of the Syriac Festal Index and the incomplete Historia acephala, which furnish crucial evidence for the chronology of Athanasius' career.

Format: Hardback
Length: 360 pages
Publication date: 01 November 2022
Publisher: Liverpool University Press

Athanasius of Alexandria, a prominent figure in late-antique Christianity, is renowned for his unwavering defense of orthodoxy against the 'Arian heresy and his advocacy of an ascetic lifestyle. His Festal Letters, written annually to announce the date of Easter, provide a unique perspective into his multifaceted character. These letters, which have often been overlooked due to their fragmented survival in Syriac and Coptic translations, and the loss of the original Greek text, offer a valuable insight into Athanasius' thought and his approach to pastoral challenges in a rapidly evolving world.

This book presents the first comprehensive English translation of all the known fragments of Athanasius' Festal Letters. In addition to the translations, introductory essays and annotations provide essential historical and literary context, shedding light on Athanasius' teachings and practices. The letters are further enriched by fresh translations of the Syriac Festal Index and the incomplete Historia acephala preserved in Latin, which offer crucial evidence for the chronology of Athanasius' career.

By presenting these diverse sources together, this book offers a more comprehensive understanding of Athanasius as both a bishop and a pastor. It sheds new light on his theological convictions, his pastoral care, and his interactions with his contemporaries, contributing to our appreciation of this influential figure in Christian history.

Dimension: 210 x 147 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781802076820