Laudatio Iohannis theologi, auctore Nicephoro Blemmyde
Standard abbreviation: Encom. John
Other titles: none
Clavis numbers: ECCA 842
Category: Apocryphal Acts
Related literature: Acts of John by Prochorus; Hypomnema on John, by Symeon Metaphrastes; John and the Robber
Compiled by: Tony Burke, York University ([email protected])
Citing this resource (using Chicago Manual of Style): Burke, Tony. “Encomium on John the Evangelist by Blemmydes.” e-Clavis: Christian Apocrypha. Accessed DAY MONTH YEAR. https://www.nasscal.com/e-clavis-christian-apocrypha/encomium-on-john-the-evangelist-by-blemmydes/.
Created October 2023.
1. SUMMARY
Blemmydes’ encomium was delivered as a sermon ca. 1250, likely in the basilica dedicated to John in Ephesus. The text is mostly an extended commentary on the first verses of John’s prologue (1:1–16). Some details are provided about John’s early life, praising him for his life of chastity that made him an appropriate caregiver to Mary (“because she was a virgin, so was a male virgin needed,” 14). Here he is compared also to Joseph, who cared for Mary after having raised children and received Mary from the temple, just as the unmarried John received her at Golgotha; both of these points about Joseph draw on the Protevangelium of James. John is also said to be a grandson of Joseph through one of Joseph’s daughters (a detail that may go back to Sophronios of Jerusalem). Some stories about John from the Gospels are then briefly mentioned, including his calling and his presence at key events such as the Transfiguration.
After an extended discussion of the Johannine prologue, Blemmydes turns finally to John’s preaching activities. In a list of troubles he endured (shackles, whipping, etc.) and miracles he performed (curing the sick, raising the dead), mention is made of John purifying idolatrous temples and refuting “false sophisms” with his teachings. He also “changed hay into gold so that a man might rejoice through the multitude of his debts” (56) and brought a converted robber back to the faith (57; see John and the Robber)—two stories included in the Hypomnema on John by Symeon Metaphrastes. Blemmydes mentions also John’s metastasis (61) and attacks on John by a mob on Patmos (62; a clear reference to the Acts of John by Prochorus).
The sermon concludes with a comparison of John to Enoch and Elijah (since all three were assumed to heaven) and another to John the Baptist (“the Baptist is the leader of the prophets and the Theologian is the commander of the apostles,” 71).
Named Historical Figures and Characters: Aaron, Abraham (patriarch), Adam (patriarch), Canaan, David (king), Elijah (prophet), Enoch (patriarch), Holy Spirit, Hur, Japheth, Jesus Christ, John (the Baptist), Joseph (of Nazareth), Mary (Virgin), Moses (patriarch), Noah (patriarch), Shem (patriarch).
Geographical Locations: Amalek, Canaan, Egypt, Gehenna, Golgotha, Hades, Israel, Palestine, paradise, Patmos, temple (of Jerusalem).
2. RESOURCES
2.1 Web Sites and Other Online Resources
“Nikephorus Blemmydes.” Wikipedia.
3. BIBLIOGRAPHY
3.1 Manuscripts and Editions
3.1.1 Greek (BHG 931); sigla from the edition by Munitz
A Athens, Ethnikē Bibliothēkē tēs Hellados, Metochion tou Panagiou Taphou 48, fols. 268v–279r (15th cent.) ~ Pinakes
B Oxford, Bodleian Library, Barocci 131, fols. 350–353 (ca. 1280) ~ Pinakes; IMAGES
C Brussels, Bibliothèque Royale Albert Ier, IV.459, fols. 131r–140v (14th cent.) ~ Pinakes
E Athos, Monē Dionusiou, 228, fols. 70–82 (1420/1421) ~ Pinakes
F Athos, Monē Pantokratoros, 6, fols. 171r–176v (14th cent.) ~ Pinakes
H Athos, Monē Batopediou, 636 (ca. 1417) ~ Pinakes; LOC
K Istanbul, Patriarchikē Bibliothēkē, Panaghias 1, fols. 97–104 (14th cent.) ~ Pinakes
M Munich, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Cod. gr. 225, fols. 206r–216v (14th cent.) ~ Pinakes; IMAGES
N Naples, Biblioteca nazionale Vittorio Emanuele III, II.B.8, fols. 98v–112v (13th/14th cent.) ~ Pinakes; IMAGES
O Vatican, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Ott. gr. 117, fols. 115r–121v (16th cent.) ~ Pinakes; BAV
P Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, gr. 1225, fols. 1r–28v (16th cent.) ~ Pinakes
Q Patmos, Monē tou Hagiou Iōannou tou Theologou, 736, fols. 18v–196v (14th cent.) ~ Pinakes
R Vatican, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Reg. gr. 15, fols. 120v–134r (13th cent.) ~ Pinakes; BAV
S Athos, Monē Batopediou, 454, fols. 143r–157r (13th cent.) ~ Pinakes
T Patmos, Monē tou Hagiou Iōannou tou Theologou, 871, fols. 1r–29v (17th cent.) ~ copy of Q; Pinakes
V Vatican, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Vat. gr. 1079, fols. 172v–187r (14th cent.) ~ Pinakes
Athos, Monē Dionusiou, 163, item 5 (17th cent.) ~ Pinakes
Athos, Monē Panteleēmonos, 201, pp. 1–10 (19th cent.) ~ Pinakes
Jerusalem, Patriarchikē bibliothēkē, Panaghiou Taphou 377, fol. 183 (17th cent.) ~ extract; Pinakes
Rome, Biblioteca Vallicelliana, Allaci 61, fasc. 10 (16th cent.) ~ Pinakes
Vatican, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Vat. gr. 779 (808), fols. 146r–146v (1408) ~ extract; Pinakes; BAV
Munitz, Joseph A. “Blemmydes’ Encomium on St John the Evangelist (BHG 931).” AnBoll 107 (1989): 285–346 (edition with facing English translation, pp. 302–46).
3.2 Modern Translations
3.2.1 English
Munitz, Joseph A. “Blemmydes’ Encomium on St John the Evangelist (BHG 931).” AnBoll 107 (1989): 285–346 (edition with facing English translation, pp. 302–46).
3.3 General Works
Heisenberg, Ausgust. Nicephori Blemmydae curriculum vitae et carmina. Leipzig. N. G. Tuebneri, 1896 (pp. lvi–lix).
Jugie, Martin. La Mort et l’Assumption de la Sainte Vierge: Étude historico-doctrinale. Studi e Testi 114. Vatican City: Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, 1944 (p. 720).