Epistle of Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite to Timothy

Epistula Ps.-Dionysii Areopagitae ad Timotheum de passione Petri et Pauli

Standard abbreviation: Ep. Tim. Dion.

Other titles: none

Clavis numbers: ECCA 908; CANT 197

Category: Epistles, Apocryphal Acts.

Compiled by David L. Eastman, The McCallie School ([email protected]).

Citing this resource (using Chicago Manual of Style): Eastman, David L. “The Epistle of Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite to Timothy Concerning the Deaths of the Apostles Peter and Paul.” e-Clavis: Christian Apocrypha. Accessed DAY MONTH YEAR. http://www.nasscal.com/e-clavis-christian-apocrypha/epistle-of-pseudo-dionysius-the-areopagite-to-timothy/.

Posted August 2017. Most recent update July 2021.

1. SUMMARY

According to Acts (17:34), Dionysius the Areopagite was one of the first Athenian converts of the apostle Paul. He must be distinguished from the Christian Neoplatonic theologian and philosopher of the same name who wrote in the fifth or sixth century C.E. This letter, written in his name, is addressed to Timothy, the protégé of Paul. It is one of many texts produced in the late antique and early medieval periods that reflect later, often fanciful, traditions about the apostles’ deaths; however, in this case, the martyrdoms are related in the form of an epistle, rather than as one of the apocryphal acts or a martyrdom, and includes lengthy passages of praise and mourning.

The letter opens with praise for Timothy, who is credited with having endured many hardships and abuses alongside Paul, though at least according to the New Testament, Timothy is not known to have done so (1). The author praises Paul as the great teacher, destroyer of sin and demons, enemy of the Jews, builder of the church, etc. and laments that, with his recent death, the people of the faith have lost a great spiritual father and will not longer receive his letters from abroad (2–3).

The author finally turns his attention to the martyrdoms, which he claims to have seen with his own eyes. Dionysius describes the chaotic scene as the founding pillars of the church were led away to their deaths (4). When Peter and Paul were separated, he followed Paul and saw his bloody end (5–7). The author then reports that he saw Peter and Paul ascending into heaven after their deaths. A woman named Lemobia (in a comparable story in Pseudo-Linus, Martyrdom of the Blessed Apostle Paul 14–17, she is named Plautilla) also saw their ascent. Paul had passed her on the way to his execution. Lemobia gave Paul a veil, which he had used to collect his own blood and then returned to her before his ascent (8). The author rejoices that Peter and Paul will never again be separated and encourages Timothy to hold a vigil in honor of their deaths (9.1–10).

The letter ends with a story about the rediscovery of Paul’s head (9.11–19). It was found by a shepherd and miraculous signs drew the attention of the Roman bishop (the otherwise unknown Fabellius; the account of the discovery of Paul’s head in the Martyrdom of Paul the Apostle and the Discovery of His Head identifies this bishop as Xystus, likely to be identified as Sixtus II (257–258 C.E.). It was confirmed to be the true head of Paul when it was placed at the feet of his body and the body turned to rejoin the head.

Named historical figures and characters: Absalom, Amos (prophet), David (king), Elijah, Elisha, Fabellius (bishop), Jesus Christ, Jonathan (son of Saul), Lemobia, Nero (emperor), Paul (apostle), Peter (apostle), Saul (king), Simon Magus, Timothy.

Geographical locations: Asia, Corinth, Galatia, Ramah, Rome, Spain.

2. RESOURCES

2.1 Church architecture

The Capella della Separazione (Chapel of the Separation) marks the traditional site where Peter and Paul parted before their martyrdoms. The chapel was built in 1562 and then rebuilt in 1568, but destroyed in 1910. Its features included a bas relief depicting the separation, a plaque describing the event with the apostles’ parting words from Ep. Tim. Dion. 4:6–7, and a series of three paintings of Paul’s encounter with Lemobia (ch. 8).

3. BIBLIOGRAPHY

3.1 Manuscripts and Editions

Behind all of these versions (in Ethiopic, Latin, etc.) there appears to lie a Greek original. Johann Albert Fabricius, citing Peter Lambeck, reports the presence of Greek manuscripts in Florence and Vienna (Bibliothecae graecae [14 vols.; Hamburg: C. Liebezeit, 1705–1728], 5:6–7) but no shelf numbers are provided and the libraries have no evidence of their existence.

3.1.1. Arabic (BHO 969)

Aleppo, Fondation Salem – Sbath, 1008 (1310)

Beirut, Université Saint-Joseph, 510 (18th cent.)

Beirut, Université Saint-Joseph, 511 (1867)

Beirut, Université Saint-Joseph, 512 (16th cent.)

Beirut, American University, 1194 (18th cent.)

Cairo, Coptic Museum, 296 (date undetermined)

Cairo, Coptic Museum, 311B (13th/14th cent.)

Edgbaston, University of Birmingham, Mingana ar. Christ. 92 [87b] (17th cent.)

Edgbaston, University of Birmingham, Mingana Syr. 461 (in Garšūnī) (19th cent.)

Göttingen, Universitätsbibliothek, ar. 104 (17th/18th cent.)

Göttingen, Universitätsbibliothek, ar. 105 (1268)

Jerusalem, Holy Sepulcher, ar. 46 (13th cent.)

Jerusalem, Church of St. Anna, 38 (1874)

Jerusalem, Church of St. Anna, 84 (1900)

Jerusalem, Church of St. Mark, 53 (in Garšūnī) (1732/1733)

Lebanon, Syro-Catholic Monastery of Charfet, ar. 2/4 (14th cent.)

Leiden, Universiteit Leiden, Or. 129 (14th/15th cent.)

Mount Sinai, St. Catherine’s Monastery, ar. 268 (1225) ~ Sinai Digital Library; LOC

Mount Sinai, Monē tēs Hagias Aikaterinēs, ar. 405, fols. 227^r–231^v (1334/1335)

Mount Sinai, St. Catherine’s Monastery, ar. 448 (13th cent.) ~ LOC

Mount Sinai, St. Catherine’s Monastery, ar. 475 (13th cent.) ~ Sinai Digital Library; LOC

Mount Sinai, St. Catherine’s Monastery, ar. 482 (13th cent.) ~ Sinai Digital Library; LOC

Mount Sinai, St. Catherine’s Monastery, ar. 502 (date undetermined)

Mount Sinai, Monē tēs Hagias Aikaterinēs, ar. 539, fols. 57^v–63^r (12th cent.)

Oxford, Bodleian Library, Huntington 383 (date undetermined)

Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, Arabe 4771, fols. 225^r–234^r (19th cent.)

Vatican, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Vat. sir. 196 (in Garšūnī; also listed as 77) (1551)

Vatican, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Vat. ar. 43 (1313)

Vatican, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Borg. ar. 200 (1670)

Vatican, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Sbath 86 (16th cent.)

Vatican, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Vat. ar. 523 (17th cent.)

Watson, Syria (17th cent.) (personal copy)

Muthreich, Michael. “Die arabische Überlieferung,” pages 55–94, and “Synoptische Edition and Übersetzung der syrischen and arabischen Fassungen,” pages 277–336 in Letter to Timothy on the Death of the Apostles Peter and Paul (Armenian, Georgian, Latin, Syriac). Edited by Caroline Macé, Ekkehard Mühlenberg, Michael Muthreich, and Christine Wulf. Corpus Dionysiacum III/1. PTS 79. Berlin: Degruyter, 2021 (edition and translation of the Arabic text).

Watson, W. Scott. “An Arabic Version of the Epistle of Dionysius the Areopagite to Timothy.” AJSL 16.4 (1900): 225–41 (text and translation from a personal copy).

3.1.2. Armenian (BHO 966–967)

Jerusalem, St. James’ Monastery, 74, pp. 167–180 (1318)

Muş (Mush), Surb Karapet, 333 (date undetermined; now lost or destroyed)

Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, Arm. 118, fols. 302^r–303^r (1307)

Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, Arm. 120, fols. 448^r–450^r (14th cent.)

Venice, San Lazzaro degli Armeni, 17 (1224)

Venice, San Lazzaro degli Armeni, 200 (date undetermined)

Venice, San Lazzaro degli Armeni, 201 (date undetermined)

Venice, San Lazzaro degli Armeni, 204 (date undetermined)

Venice, San Lazzaro degli Armeni, 301 (date undetermined)

Venice, San Lazzaro degli Armeni, 693 (13th cent.)

Venice, San Lazzaro degli Armeni, 1014 (12th/13th cent.)

Venice, San Lazzaro degli Armeni, 1252 (1695)

Venice, San Lazzaro degli Armeni, 1553 (1215)

Venice, San Lazzaro degli Armeni, 2154 (17th/18th cent.)

Venice, San Lazzaro degli Armeni, 2724 [301] (18th cent.)

Yerevan, Matenadaran, 993 (date undetermined)

Yerevan, Matenadaran, 995, fols. 706^v–708^r (1456)

Yerevan, Matenadaran, 1791, fols. 52^v–63^r (14th cent.)

Yerevan, Matenadaran, 7729, fols. 581^v–583^v (1200–1202)

Macé, Caroline. “Die armenische Überlieferung,” pages 109–54, and “Edition and Übersetzung der armenische Fassungen,” pages 337–83 in Corpus Dionysiacum III/1: Letter to Timothy on the Death of the Apostles Peter and Paul (Armenian, Georgian, Latin, Syriac). Edited by Caroline Macé, Ekkehard Mühlenberg, Michael Muthreich, and Christine Wulf. PTS 79. Berlin: Degruyter, 2021 (edition and translation of the Armenian text).

Pitra, Johanne B., and Paulin Martin. Analecta sacra spicilegio solesmensi 4: Patres antenicaeni. Paris: Roger and Chernoviz, 1883 (edition based on BNF Arm. 120 and BNF Arm. 118, pp. 249–54, with Latin translation, pp. 272–76).

Tchérakian, Chérubin. Ankanon girkh arakhelakankh: Thankgaran haykakan hin ew nor deprutheankh. Venice: Òazar, 1904. (Edition based primarily on Venice, San Lazzaro degli Armeni, 1014, pp. 110–22).

3.1.3. Ethiopic (BHO 970)

London, British Library, Or. 677 (18th cent.) ~ IMAGES

London, British Library, Or. 678, fols. 18^r–26^r (15th cent.) ~ IMAGES

London, British Library, Or. 679 (18th cent.) ~ IMAGES

London, British Library, Or. 680 (18th cent.) ~ IMAGES

London, British Library, Or. 681 (18th cent.) ~ IMAGES

London, British Library, Or. 682 (18th cent.)

London, British Library, Or. 683, fols. 103^r–113^r (17th cent.) ~ IMAGES

London, British Library, Or. 684 (18th cent.) ~ IMAGES

London, British Library, Or. 685, fols. 19^v–27^r (18th cent.)

Manchester, John Rylands University Library, Eth. 6, fols. 10^v–22^v (19th cent.)

Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, Abbadie 64 (date undetermined)

Budge, Ernest A. W. The Contendings of the Apostles, being the Histories of the Lives and Martyrdoms and Deaths of the Twelve Apostles and Evangelists. Vol. 1: The Ethiopic Text. London: Henry Frowde, 1899 (pp. 1:50–65).

Muthreich, Michael. “Die altäthiopische (Ge’ez) Überlieferung.” Pages 95–108 in Corpus Dionysiacum III/1: Letter to Timothy on the Death of the Apostles Peter and Paul (Armenian, Georgian, Latin, Syriac). Edited by Caroline Macé, Ekkehard Mühlenberg, Michael Muthreich, and Christine Wulf. PTS 79. Berlin: Degruyter, 2021 (discussion of the Ethiopic text).

3.1.4. Georgian

Mount Athos, Iviron, 7 (Tsagerli 63), fols. 230^r–235^r (12th cent.)

Mount Athos, Iviron, 8 (Tsagerli 57), fols. 57^v–64^r (10th cent.)

Mount Athos, Iviron, 25 (Tsagerli 59), fols. 207^v–214^r (10th cent.)

Oxford, Bodleian Library, Georg. b1, fols. 206r–211^v (1038–1040) ~ Digital Bodleian

Tbilisi, National Centre of Manuscripts, A-19, fols. 93^v–94^v (10th cent.) ~ fragmentary

Tbilisi, National Centre of Manuscripts, A-95, fols. 646^r–651^v (10th cent.) ~ fragmentary

Tiblisi, National Centre of Manuscripts, A-382, fols. 21^v–24^v (15th cent.)

Tiblisi, National Centre of Manuscripts, H-169, fols. 27^v–38^r (1833)

Tiblisi, National Centre of Manuscripts, H-1708, fols. 10^v–24^r (12th cent.)

Macé, Caroline. “Die georgische Überlieferung,” pages 155–88 in Corpus Dionysiacum III/1: Letter to Timothy on the Death of the Apostles Peter and Paul (Armenian, Georgian, Latin, Syriac). Edited by Caroline Macé, Ekkehard Mühlenberg, Michael Muthreich, and Christine Wulf. PTS 79. Berlin: Degruyter, 2021 (edition of the Georgian text).

Macé, Caroline. “La lettre de Denys l’Aréopagite à Timothée sur la mort des apôtres Pierre et Paul: l’apport de la version géorgienne.” Apocrypha 31 (2020): 61–104 (manuscripts discussed, pp. 67–69, French translation, pp. 98–104).

Macé, Caroline, and Ekkehard Mühlenberg. “Synoptische Edition and Übersetzung der georgischen und lateinischen Fassungen.” Pages 383–445 in Corpus Dionysiacum III/1: Letter to Timothy on the Death of the Apostles Peter and Paul (Armenian, Georgian, Latin, Syriac). Edited by Caroline Macé, Ekkehard Mühlenberg, Michael Muthreich, and Christine Wulf. PTS 79. Berlin: Degruyter, 2021 (edition and translation of the Georgian and Latin texts).

3.1.5. Latin (BHL 6671)

Admont, Stift Admont, 383 (14th cent.)

Bamberg, Staatliche Bibliothek, Q. III. 33 [Msc. Theol. 93] (15th cent.)

Brussels, Bibliothèque royale, 1900-05 [Van den Gehn 1063] (15th cent.)

Brussels, Bibliothèque royale, 2415-18 [Van den Gehn 1423] (14th cent.)

Cesena, Istituzione Biblioteca Malatestiana, D.XI.7 (15th cent.)

Dijon, Bibliothèque Municipale, Ancien Fonds 638-642 (13th cent.)

Klosterneuburg, Stift Klosterneuburg, 1112 (date undetermined)

Liège, Université, 57 (15th cent.)

Liège, Université, 134 (15th cent.)

Lilienfeld, Stift Lilienfeld, 96 (1263)

Melk, Stift Melk, 363 (15th cent.)

Melk, Stift Melk, 722 (15th cent.)

Milan, Biblioteca Ambrosiana, O 3 sup., fols. 250r–253v (13th cent.) ~ catalog

Milan, Biblioteca Ambrosiana, P 25 sup. (1231–1285) ~ IMAGES

Milan, Biblioteca Ambrosiana, 139 sup. (date undetermined)

Milan, Biblioteca Ambrosiana, P 202 sup., fols. 48v–51v (16th cent.) ~ catalog

Milan, Biblioteca Ambrosiana, O 216 sup. (1426–1475) ` catalog

Milan, Biblioteca Ambrosiana, I 251 inf. (1376–1425) ~ catalog

Munich, Universitätsbibliothek der LMU, lat. 18535 [Tegernsee 535a] (15th cent.)

Oxford, Bodleian Library, N-044 (1478)

Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, latin 3711 (14th cent.)

Prague, Státní Knihovan, XIII.E.14.c (1303)

Rostock, Kloster zum Heiligen-Kreuz, 56 (14th cent.)

Stams, Stift Stams, 5 (14th/15th cent.)

Vienna, Dominikanerkirche, 78 (15th cent.)

Vienna, Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, 3662 (15th cent.) ~ catalog

Vienna, Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, 3926 (14th cent.) ~ catalog

Vienna, Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, 4067 (15th cent.) ~ catalog

Vienna, Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, 4248 (15th cent.) ~ catalog

Vienna, Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, 4576 (15th cent.) ~ catalog

Vienna, Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, 4936 (15th cent.) ~ catalog

Vienna, Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, 4940 (15th cent.) ~ catalog

Vienna, Schottenstift, 29 (15th cent.)

Würzburg, Universitätsbibliothek, M.ch.q. 156 (15th cent.)

Eastman, David L. “Pseudo-Dionysius, Epistle to Timothy on the Death of the Apostles Peter and Paul.” Pages 343–65 in The Ancient Martyrdom Accounts of Peter and Paul. WGRW 39. Atlanta: SBL Press, 2015 (text and translation based on edition of Brunet and Quentin).

Macé, Caroline, and Ekkehard Mühlenberg. “Synoptische Edition and Übersetzung der georgischen und lateinischen Fassungen.” Pages 383–445 in Corpus Dionysiacum III/1: Letter to Timothy on the Death of the Apostles Peter and Paul (Armenian, Georgian, Latin, Syriac). Edited by Caroline Macé, Ekkehard Mühlenberg, Michael Muthreich, and Christine Wulf. PTS 79. Berlin: Degruyter, 2021 (edition and translation of the Georgian and Latin texts).

Pitra, Johanne B., and Paulin Martin. Analecta sacra spicilegio solesmensi. Tome 4: Patres antenicaeni. Paris: Roger and Chernoviz, 1883 (edition based on Paris, BNF latin 3711 and Milan 139 sup., and O216 sup., pp. 261–71).

Mombrizio, Bonino. “Epistola beati Dionisii ariopagite de morte apostolorum Petri et Pauli ad Timotheum.” Pages 354–57, 709–10 in volume 2 of Sanctuarium seu Vitae sanctorum. New edition by Albin Brunet and Henri Quentin. Paris: Fontemoing, 1909.

Mühlenberg, Ekkehard. “Die lateinische Überlieferung.” Pages 189–266 in Corpus Dionysiacum III/1: Letter to Timothy on the Death of the Apostles Peter and Paul (Armenian, Georgian, Latin, Syriac). Edited by Caroline Macé, Ekkehard Mühlenberg, Michael Muthreich, and Christine Wulf. PTS 79. Berlin: Degruyter, 2021 (discussion of the Latin text).

3.1.6. Syriac (BHO 968)

Cambridge (Mass.), Harvard Houghton Library, Syr. 99, fols. 107^r–111^v (1899)

Charfeh, Syrian-Catholic Patriarchate, 79 (20th cent.)

Edgbaston, University of Birmingham, Mingana Syr. 4, fols. 58^v–61^r(1895)

Mardin, Dayr al-Zaʿfarān, 203, fols. 91^r–94^v (20th cent.)

Mardin, Church of the Forty Martyrs, 63, fols. 128^v–136^r (18th cent.) ~ HMML

Mardin, Church of the Forty Martyrs, 253, fols. 89^r–92^v (13th cent.) ~ HMML

Midyat, Dayro d-Mor Gabriel, 21, pp. 92–99 (1971)

Midyat, Mar Barṣawmo Library, 16, pp. 158–165 (1972)

Montserrat, Ms. 31, fols. 97^r–101^r (1915)

Mor Hananyo Monastery, 16, 1, 53 (12th cent.)

Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, Syr. 234, fols. 130^v–135^v (13th cent.)

Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, Syr. 235, fols. 51^v–55^v(1292)

Vatican, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Vat. sir. 123 [19], fols. 198^v–205^r (9th cent.) ~ DigiVatLib

Vatican, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, syr. Ebedjesu 18 (14th cent. or earlier)

Pitra, Johannes B., and Paulin Martin. Analecta sacra spicilegio solesmensi 4: Patres antenicaeni. Paris: Roger and Chernoviz, 1883 (Syriac edition based on Paris, BNF Syr. 234 and 235, pp. 241–49, Latin translation, pp. 261–71).

Muthreich, Michael. “Die syrische Überlieferung,” pages 19–54, and “Synoptische Edition and Übersetzung der syrischen and arabischen Fassungen,” pages 277–336 in Letter to Timothy on the Death of the Apostles Peter and Paul (Armenian, Georgian, Latin, Syriac). Edited by Caroline Macé, Ekkehard Mühlenberg, Michael Muthreich, and Christine Wulf. Corpus Dionysiacum III/1. PTS 79. Berlin: Degruyter, 2021 (edition of and translation of the Syriac text).

3.2. Modern Translations

3.2.1 English

Budge, Ernest A. W. The Contendings of the Apostles, being the Histories of the Lives and Martyrdoms and Deaths of the Twelve Apostles and Evangelists. Vol. 2: The English Translation. London: Henry Frowde, 1901 (pp. 2:51–69).

Eastman, David L. Pages 349–65 in The Ancient Martyrdom Accounts of Peter and Paul. WGRW 39. Atlanta: SBL Press, 2015.

Eastman, David L. Pages 464–80 in vol. 1 of New Testament Apocrypha: More Noncanonical Scriptures. Edited by Tony Burke and Brent Landau. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2016. (Translation based on Latin edition of Brunet and Quentin).

Malan, Solomon C. The Conflicts of the Apostles: An Apocryphal Book of the Early Eastern Church. London: Nutt, 1871 (Translation from Ethiopic, pp. 240–43).

Watson, W. Scott. “An Arabic Version of the Epistle of Dionysius the Areopagite to Timothy.” AJSL 16.4 (1900): 225–41. (translation from Arabic).

3.2.2 French

Leloir, Louis. Écrits apocryphes sur les apôtres. Traduction de l’édition arménienne de Venise. CCSA 3. Turnhout: Brepols, 1986 (translation of Tchérakian’s Armenian edition, pp. 173–88).

3.2.3 Polish

Peradze, Grzegorz. List apokryficzny Dionizego Areopagity do Biskupa Efeskiego Tymoteusza o meczenskiej smierci Apostolów Piotra i Pawla. Warsaw: Wydanictwo, “ΕΛΠΙΣ,” Drukarnia Synodalna, 1937. Reprinted in idem, Dziela zebrane, Tom. II: O patrologii. O historii Kosciola. Warszawa: Studium Europy Wschodniej Uniwersytet Warszawski, 2011, pp. 225–34 (translation of the Georgian text based on Bodleian Library, Georg. b1).

3.3 General Works

Doole, J. Andrew. “The Final Acts of Paul: The Miracle of the Apostle’s Re-attaching Head.” Apocrypha 30 (2019): 87–106 (esp. 89–93).

Lipsius, Richard A. Die Apokryphen Apostelgeschichten und Apostellegenden. 2 vols. in 3 parts. Leipzig: Mendelssohn, 1889–1903; reprinted Hildesheim: Georg Olms, 1959; reprinted by the same in 1972 (see vol. 1, pp. 227–31, and Ergänzungshaft, 42–44 and 99–100).

Macé, Caroline, and Michael Muthreich. “Latin and Oriental Translations of the Epistola ad Timotheum de morte apostolorum Attributed to Dionysius the Areopagite.” Pages 9–34 in Caught in Translation: Studies on Versions of Late-Antique Literature. Edited by Madalina Toca and Dan Batovici. Leiden and Boston: Brill, 2020.

Muthreich, Michael. “Bemerkungen zur arabischen und äthiopischen Fassung der Epistola de morte apostolorum Petri et Pauli (zugeschrieben dem Dionysius Areopagita).” Philotheos 13 (2013): 166–75.

Théry, Gabriel. “Catalogue des manuscrits dionysiens des bibliothèques d’Autriche.” Archives d’histoire doctrinale et littéraire du Moyen Age 10 (1935): 174–76.