Laudatio Iohannis theologi, auctore Ps.-Iohanne Chrysostomo
Standard abbreviation: Encom. John
Other titles: none
Clavis numbers: ECCA 370; CANT 224; CPG 4936
Category: Apocryphal Acts
Related literature: Acts of John
Compiled by Tony Burke, York University.
Citing this resource (using Chicago Manual of Style): Burke, Tony. “Encomium on John the Evangelist by Pseudo-John Chrysostom.” e-Clavis: Christian Apocrypha. Accessed DAY MONTH YEAR. https://www.nasscal.com/e-clavis-christian-apocrypha/encomium-on-john-the-theologian-by-pseudo-john-chrysostom/.
Created February 2024.
1. SUMMARY
The encomium is attributed to John Chrysostom in the Greek manuscripts, but not in the Arabic. The occasion of the encomium is the anniversary of John’s Metastasis (26 September, though the date is not provided). The author begins by invoking the words of John 21:22 (“If I will that he remains until I come, what is that to you?”) but then remarks that after John had attained old age, he ordered his disciples to dig a hole for his tomb (as in Acts of John 115). He laid down in the hole and dismissed the disciples; after seven days they returned to find his body had disappeared. The author likens the apostle’s departure to the missing bodies of Moses and Jesus.
John’s disciples built a church at the location of the tomb. After some time, Constantine wished to transfer the relics of John to his new city (Constantinople) but after excavating, no remains could be found. John appeared to the emperor and told him that he is with Christ in the heavens, quoting again John 21:22. To this day, the author writes, people assemble at the tomb in Ephesus for the anniversary of John’s death and collect a “fine dust” with healing properties that springs from the earth. The author then presents a tale of John as a sample of his achievements: the fall of the temple of Artemis (from Acts of John 46–47). Finally he brings the encomium to a close with a brief mention of John revealing the “ineffable mysteries” in his gospel.
Named Historical Figures and Characters: Amalek, Artemis, Constantine (emperor), Elijah (prophet), John (son of Zebedee), Moses (patriarch), Peter (apostle), Serapis.
Geographical Locations: Artemis (temple of), Constantinople, Egypt, Ephesus.
2. RESOURCES
3. BIBLIOGRAPHY
3.1 Manuscripts and Editions
3.1.1 Arabic
Mount Sinai, Monē tēs Hagias Aikaterinēs, arab. 539, fols. 109r–111v (12th cent.)
Oxford, Bodleian Library, Bodl. Ar. 541 (Nicoll 49), fols. 113r–114r (18th cent.)
Lewis, Agnes Smith, ed. Acta Mythologica Apostolorum, Transcribed from an Arabic Ms. in the Convent of Deyr-es-Suriani, Egypt, and from Mss. in the Convent of St Catherine, on Mount Sinai. Horae Semiticae 3. London: C.J. Clay and Sons, 1904 (Arabic text based on Sinai arab. 539, pp. 147–49).
3.2.2 Greek (BHG 932f)
H Istanbul, Patriarchikē Bibliothēkē, Hagia Triados 100, fols. 201v–204r (10th/11th cent.) ~ Pinakes
O Oxford, Bodleian Library, Auct. E. 3. 15 (Misc. 051. 15), fols. 54v–57r (16th/17th cent.) ~ a copy of H; Pinakes
P Patmos, Monē tou Hagiou Iōannou tou Theologou, 191, fols. 207v–211v (9th/10th cent.) ~ Pinakes
Junod, Eric, and Jean-Daniel Kaestli. Acta Iohannis. CCSA 1. Turnhout: Brepols, 1983 (edition based on H and P, pp. 412–19; introduction, pp. 402–11)
3.2 Modern Translations
3.2.1 English
Culpepper, R. Alan. John, the Son of Zebedee. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2000 (English translation based on edition by Junod and Kaestli, pp. 236–41).
Lewis, Agnes Smith. The Mythological Acts of the Apostles, Translated from an Arabic Ms. in the Convent of Deyr-es-Suriani, Egypt, and from Mss. in the Convent of St Catherine on Mount Sinai and in the Vatican Library. Horae Semiticae 4. London: C.J. Clay and Sons, 1904 (English translation of the Arabic text, pp. 171–74).
3.3 General Works