Reception of the writings of Martyrius-Sahdona in several confessions

Abstract

The article deals the problem of reception in several confessions of the writings of the ascetic writer and bishop of the Church of the East Martyrius-Sahdona (o. ~650). The question about his confessional orientation is not clear now. There are saved a few manuscripts with his writings in syriac (the date of the earliest is 837), as well as in arabic (one manuscript of 1492) and georgian translations (a few manuscripts, the date of the earliest is 925). Analysis of the manuscript tradition of his writings permited to establish that the literary tradition, on which drew the writer and which was the base of his ascetical teaching, became essential factor of reception of his writings by orthodox in the most extent, while the other confessions saved only small fragments of these. The determination of causes of the popularity of the writings of Martyrius-Sahdona in several confessions is contribution in solution of the question of his confession, which is unclarified aspect of the biography of this church doer and representant of the East Syrian ascetic literature.