Notes sur la Vita «sinaïtique» d’Athanase l’Athonite récemment éditée

Abstract

The fragmentary "Vita" of St Athanasius the Athonite discovered in the Sinai in 1975 has finally been published. The editors illustrate well that it predates the two Lives of the same saint (BHG 187 and 188) which have been known for a long time. However, this review, in addition to correcting the edition here and there, shows that the editors are mistaken about the year of the saint’s death, and particularly when they place the writing of the new Vita in 1002 or shortly thereafter. The author knew Athanasius, but apparently only for a short time. He says that after a long hesitation he collected the testimonies of those who had directly or indirectly known the saint, in order to save this precious information from oblivion. What he writes, however, reveals gaps and distortions in comparison with the account of Life A, written a little later but based on the recollections of Anthony, the saint’s confidant.