On the Apostolic Tradition (Popular Patristics Series)

by Hippolytus of Rome

Publisher:

St Vladimir’s Seminary Press

, 2015

Overview

Apostolic Tradition, as this text is best known, was identified in the early years of the twentieth century as the work of Hippolytus, a Christian leader from third-century Rome. The text provides liturgical information of great antiquity, and as such has been massively influential on liturgical study and reform, especially in Western churches. Nonetheless, there have been a number of problems surrounding the text. The attribution to Hippolytus has never been universally accepted; much of the text remained obscure, published without commentary; finally, no adequate English version has been published since 1937. On the Apostolic Tradition seeks to solve these problems. The introduction brings the debate concerning authorship to a new level while the rest of the text is accompanied by lucid commentary. Together with a fresh translation, the book brings light to formerly obscure passages, clears critical impasses, and provides new discoveries. It is a significant and important piece of research, enlightening and eminently readable.

Contents

Top Highlights

“Everybody should be concerned that one who is not of the faithful, nor a mouse nor any other animal, should eat of the Eucharist, and that none of it should fall and be altogether lost. For it is the body of Christ to be eaten by the faithful, and not to be despised.” (Page 192)

“Widows and virgins should fast often and pray for the church. Presbyters, should they wish, and laypersons may likewise fast. A bishop cannot fast except when all the people are fasting.” (Page 161)

“Even if she is elderly, she should be tested for a time, for often the passions grow old in one who finds a place for them in himself.” (Page 113)

_“3And if you are invited to eat, eat so that you have had <just> enough, and so that there is food left over,” (Page 176)

“They kiss each other on the mouth. ₅All the women should cover their head with a veil, but not with just a piece of linen, for that is no covering. But the virgin is not veiled because it is clear that she is faithful.” (Page 124)

Product Details

• Title: On the Apostolic Tradition (Second Edition)
• Author: Hippolytus of Rome
• Edition: Second Edition
• Series: Popular Patristics Series
• Volume: 54
• Publisher: St Vladimir’s Seminary Press
• Print Publication Date: 2015
• Logos Release Date: 2018
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
• Subjects: Christian life › Early works to 1800; Church history › Primitive and early church, ca. 30-600--Sources; Church orders, Ancient
• ISBNs: 9780881415209, 9780881415216, 0881412333, 15555755, 0881415200, 0881415219, 9780881412338
• Resource ID: LLS:PSTLCTRDHPPLYTS
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-03-25T20:42:40Z

About Hippolytus of Rome

Hippolytus of Rome (170 – 235) was the most important 3rd-century theologian in the Christian Church in Rome, where he was probably born. Photios I of Constantinople describes him in his Bibliotheca (cod. 121) as a disciple of Irenaeus, who was said to be a disciple of Polycarp, and from the context of this passage it is supposed that he suggested that Hippolytus himself so styled himself. However, this assertion is doubtful.