The Syriac Order of Monastic Profession and the Order of Baptism: Common Structure, Imagery and Theological Themes

Table of Contents ..................................................................................... v
Syriac Transliteration Table ................................................................... ix
Abbreviations ........................................................................................... xi
Acknowledgements .............................................................................. xvii
Chapter One: Introduction ..................................................................... 1
Thesis Structure ............................................................................... 5
History of Scholarship .................................................................... 6
Monk and Martyr: the State of the Question ........................ 6
‘Martyrdom as a Universal Vocation’ ................................... 11
Monastic Profession and the Sacraments ............................ 16
Monastic Profession as a Second Baptism .......................... 19
Chapter Two: Syriac “Proto-Monastic” Tradition and the Way it
Fits into the Development of Monasticism in the Fourth
Century ............................................................................................ 23
Introduction ................................................................................... 23
Syriac “Proto-Monasticism”: Sources ........................................ 24
A. Aphrahat .............................................................................. 24
B. St. Ephrem the Syrian ........................................................ 25
C. Liber Graduum ................................................................... 27
Proto-monasticism: Its Definition and Character .................... 28
Iḥidoyo ...................................................................................... 29
Bnay Qyomo ............................................................................ 32
The Transformations of the Fourth and Fifth Centuries ....... 39
Chapter Three: The Structure of the Monastic Profession in the
West-Syriac Tradition ................................................................... 43
Texts and Manuscript Tradition .................................................. 43
Variations in the Syriac Rite of Initiation to the
Monastic Life .................................................................. 43
The Order of Tonsure .................................................................. 44
British Library (Add. 14,517) ................................................. 45
Vatican Syr. 51 ......................................................................... 45
Vatican Syr. 57 ......................................................................... 49
Dolabani Manuscript (=D) .................................................... 50
Severus of Antioch on Tonsure, and on Crossing
Ourselves ............................................................................... 53
Philoxenus of Mabbug on Tonsure ............................................ 53
British Library (Add 14,613) .................................................. 53
Mushe bar Kepho: A Discourse on Monastic Tonsure .......... 53
Cambridge University Library (Add. 2918)
(ff.252r–256r) ................................................................... 53
British Library (Add. 21,210) (ff.199v–202v) ....................... 53
MS of John Khoury ................................................................ 54
The Structure of the Monastic Profession in the West-
Syriac Tradition ..................................................................... 55
The Time and Place of the Profession ....................................... 55
The Structure of the Rites ............................................................ 58
1. Introductory Prayer ............................................................. 58
2. The Liturgy of the Word .................................................... 59
The Old Testament Readings ................................................ 72
The New Testament Readings .............................................. 80
3. The Intercessions ................................................................ 84
The Admonition of the Abbot .............................................. 85
Mystery Rites ............................................................................ 88
Consignation (imprint on the forehead) .............................. 90
Tonsure ..................................................................................... 91
Stripping .................................................................................... 95
Clothing ..................................................................................... 96
Washing of the feet ................................................................. 98
Incorporation into the Community .................................... 100
Handing of the Holy Cross .................................................. 100
Concluding Hymn and Prayer ............................................. 101
Chapter Four: Comparison with the West-Syriac Baptismal
Rite ................................................................................................. 103
The Development and Structure of the West-Syriac
Baptismal Ordo .................................................................... 103
The Structure of the West-Syriac Baptismal Rite ................... 107
The Monastic Ordo and Baptismal Manuscript
Tradition ........................................................................ 110
Structural Parallels between Baptism and Monastic
Tonsure .......................................................................... 111
Parallel Imagery and Themes ..................................................... 112
a. Imprinting sheep and flock .............................................. 112
b. Renunciation and adherence (covenant and
promise) ......................................................................... 118
c. Mystical death and resurrection ...................................... 123
d. Robe of glory or light ....................................................... 126
e. Restoration (of the divine image) .................................... 128
f. Parrhesia / παρρησία ......................................................... 130
g. The bridal chamber ........................................................... 132
h. Water and the Holy Spirit ................................................ 135
Conclusion ............................................................................................. 139
Appendix ................................................................................................ 141
Bibliography .......................................................................................... 285
Index ....................................................................................................... 295