Homily on the Dormition of the Virgin, by John of Thessalonica

Homilia de dormitione, auctore Iohanne Thessalonicensi

Standard abbreviation: Hom. Dorm. Vir.

Other titles: Dormition of Our Lady, the Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary by John, Archbishop of Thessalonica

Clavis numbers: ECCA 188; CANT 103; CANT 162

Category: Dormition Accounts

Related literature: Dormition of the Virgin Transitus Greek R, Book of Mary’s Repose

Compiled by Harjap Deol (York University) under the supervision of Tony Burke, York University

Citing this resource (using Chicago Manual of Style): Deol, Harjap. “Homily on the Dormition of the Virgin, by John of Thessalonica.” e-Clavis: Christian Apocrypha. Accessed DAY MONTH YEAR. https://www.nasscal.com/e-clavis-christian-apocrypha/dormition-of-the-virgin-by-the-apostle-john.

Created February 2018. Current as of January 2024.

1. SUMMARY

Hom. Dorm. John is a homily delivered by John, Archbishop of Thessalonica (r. 610–649), in an effort to encourage the adoption of the feast of the Dormition in the church of his city. John wishes also to present to his readers a story of the Virgin’s departure that is not corrupted by heretical traditions. The text’s agreements with sixth-century Greek and Syriac versions makes it an important witness to the Dormition tradition. John narrates the process of Mary’s departure from the world over a three-day period in which the apostles and the palm branch play a key role. An angel comes to Mary and tells her about her funeral and how the apostles will preserve her dignity and will carry out her final rites. The palm branch will be held by the apostles and it yields healing powers. On the Mount of Olives Mary has a discussion with the angel who tells her that he will take her to heaven. Mary becomes agitated and prays to the Lord, reminding him of his promise that he would be the one to take her to heaven. To garner support, Mary asks her “brothers and relatives” to accompany her for the remaining days of her life as a human being. She asks them to do so by lighting lamps. In addition, Mary talks about the two angels that exist: one that claims the souls of the righteous and the other the wicked. The women with Mary tell her that she does not need to be concerned that she will be taken by the wicked angel as she is the very definition of the virtue of abstinence. In other words, she preserved her virginity as everyone should strive to do. Mary tells the apostle John, appointed by Jesus to care for Mary, to look after her body as she is afraid of the people who despised Jesus and that her body will be the victim of their anger. Even when she prepares for her final hours she tells John to donate her possessions to the remaining widows. She also instructs him to carry the palm branch while the other apostles bear her coffin. But John says that all the apostles will carry the palm branch together as they are superior to him. John tells the other apostles not to be sad but to rejoice in her greatness. Peter explains the significance of the lamps they carry by saying that, “this is the threefold lamp of the inner person, which is body, soul and spirit.” Thus the lamp represents Mary’s life of virtue, for which Peter also praises the virgins. He tells them how important and fortunate they are as they have nothing to leave behind but a positive mark. He then narrates a story about a master and his possessions. Peter continues his preaching until, with a clap of thunder, Christ makes his appearance along with the angel Michael. The two depart with Mary’s soul and Jesus tells Peter to take care of her body. After Christ leaves, the people are compelled by Satan to attack the apostles and burn the Virgin’s body, but the angels render them blind. One of the chief priests manage to touch the bier and his hands are severed. After the priest repents and prays, his hands are restored. The palm branch is then used to cure the people of their blindness. The text ends with Mary’s body being placed into the tomb that Christ had arranged for her. After three days, the apostles open the sarcophagus and find that Mary’s body has vanished.

Historical Figures and Characters: Abraham (patriarch), Adam (patriarch), Andrew (apostle), Isaac (patriarch), Jacob (patriarch), Jesus Christ, John (son of Zebedee), Mary (Virgin), Michael (angel), Onesiphorus, Paul (apostle), Peter (apostle), Satan.

Geographical Locations: Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Judaea, Mount of Olives, Sardis, Thessalonica.

2. RESOURCES

“Apocryphal Works on the Assumption of Mary.” New Advent (English translations from Walker, Apocryphal Gospels, Acts and Revelations.)

“Assumption of Mary.” Wikipedia.

“Dormition of the Mother of God.” Wikipedia.

3. BIBLIOGRAPHY

3.1 Manuscripts and Editions

3.1.1 Armenian (CANT 162)

Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, arm. 117, fols. 163–164 (1307) ~ unedited

3.1.2 Greek (CANT 103)

3.1.2.1 Genuine Recension (BHG 1144a–c; CPG 7924a)

Andros, Monē Hagias (Zōodochou Pēgēs), 94 (16) (12th cent.) ~ Pinakes

Athens, Ethnikē Bibliothēkē tēs Hellados (EBE), 522, fols. 179–192v (16th cent.) ~ Pinakes

Athens, Buzantino kai Christianiko Mouseio, Loberdou 30 (18th cent.) ~ Pinakes

Cheltenham, Thirlestaine House, coll. Phillipps, 11610 (=13662) (17th cent.) ~ Pinakes

Demetsana, Dēmosia Bibliothèque, 15, fols. 62–99* (16th cent.) ~ Pinakes

Drama, Monē Kosinitsēs, 7, fols. 215v–237 (11th cent.) ~ Pinakes

Escorial (El-), Real Biblioteca, Λ. II. 17 (Andrés 576), fols. 242–262v (date not provided) ~ Pinakes

Gjirokastër, Bibliothēkē tēs Mētropoleōs, 5, fols. 306–323 (17th cent.) ~ Pinakes

Gjirokastër, Bibliothēkē tēs Mētropoleōs, 6, fols. 320–332 (17th cent.) ~ Pinakes

Leukosia, Bibliothēkē tēs Archiepiskopēs Kuprou, 14, fols. 135–151* (15th cent.) ~ Pinakes

Meteora, Monē Hagiou Stephanou, 144, Part 3 fols. 1–6v (16th cent.) ~ Pinakes

Meteora, Monē Rousanou, 32, fols. 1–4v (16th cent.) ~ Pinakes

Mount Athos, Monē Batopediou, 428 (date not provided) ~ Pinakes

Mount Athos, Monē Batopediou, 433, fols. 115–121 (18th cent.) ~ Pinakes

Mount Athos, Monē Esphigmenou, 96 (Lambros 2109), Item 1 (18th cent.) ~ Pinakes

Mount Athos, Monê Esphigmenou, 109 (Lambros 2122), fols. 212–220v (15th cent.) ~ Pinakes

Mount Athos, Monē Esphigmenou, 111 (Lambros 2124), Item 3 (16th cent.) ~ Pinakes

Mount Athos, Monē Ibērōn, 392 (Lambros 4512), Item 22 (16th cent.) ~ Pinakes

Mount Athos, Monē Ibērōn, 678 (Lambros 4798), Item 10 (16th cent.) ~ Pinakes

Mount Athos, Monē Karakallou, 65 (Lambros 1578) Mon. 076, Item 14 (15th cent.) ~ Pinakes

Mount Athos, Monē Megistēs Lauras, Ω 062 (Eustratiades 1872), fols. 1–23* (16th cent.) ~ Pinakes

Mount Athos, Monē Megistēs Lauras, Ω 095 (Eustratiades 1907), fols. 580–599 (18th cent.) ~ Pinakes

Mount Athos, Skētē Timiou Prodromou (Monēs Ibērōn), 5 (Polites 560), fols. 3–17 (19th cent.) ~ Pinakes

Mytilene, Monē tou Hagiou Iōannou tou Theologou Hypsēlou (Antissa), 57, fols. 153v–160* (17th cent.) ~ Pinakes

Mytilene, Monē tou Leimōnos, 123, fols. 60–91v* (17th cent.) ~ Pinakes

Oxford, Bodleian Library, Cromwell 1, fols. 249–271* (13th cent.) ~ Pinakes; Catalog

Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, Coisl. 121, fols. 144v–150v (14th cent.)

Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, gr. 683, fols. 213–218v, 194–195 (10th and 13th cent.) ~ Pinakes; Gallica

Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, gr. 1174, fols. 321–337v (12th cent.) ~ Pinakes; Gallica

Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, gr. 1313, fols. 163–172 (15th cent.) ~ Pinakes; Gallica

Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, gr. 1470, fols. 183v–188v (890)

Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, suppl. gr. 1155, fols. 46r–46v (9th cent.) ~ Pinakes

Sinai, Monē tēs Hagias Aikaterinēs, gr. 1897, fols. 176–184v (14th cent.) ~ Pinakes; LOC

Sinai, Monē tēs Hagias Aikaterinēs, gr. 2055, Item 2 (15th cent.) ~ Pinakes; LOC

Sofia, Naučen Centăr za Slavjano-Vizantijski Proučvanija « Ivan Dujčev, D. gr. 209, fols. 215v–* (11th cent.) ~ Pinakes

Vatican, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Ott. gr. 411, fols. 473v–476v (15th cent.)

Vatican, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Vat. gr. 1608, fols. 171–182 (11th cent.) ~ Pinakes; BAV

Vatican, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Vat. gr. 1636 (11th cent.) ~ Pinakes; BAV

Vatican, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Vat. gr. 1641, fols. 379v* (10th/11th cent.) ~ Pinakes

Vatican, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Vat. gr. 2013, fols. 164–177v (10th cent.) ~ Pinakes; BAV

Vatican, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Vat. gr. 2072, fols. 166r–178v (11th cent.)

Vatican, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Vat. gr. 2545, fols. 189–225v (16th cent.) ~ Pinakes

Venice, Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana, gr. VII. 38 (coll. 1385), fols. 452–459 (16th cent.) ~ Pinakes

Venice, Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana, gr. VII. 40 (coll. 1467), fols. 323–339 (16th cent.) ~ Pinakes

Jugie, Martin. Homélies mariales byzantines. Textes grecs édités et traduits en latin. PO 19. Paris: Firmin-Didot, 1926 (pp. 375–405).

Wenger, Antoine. L’Assomption de la T.S. Vierge dans la tradition byzantine du VIe au Xe siècle. Études et documents. Archives de l’Orient chrétien 5. Paris: Institut français d’études byzantines, 1955 (pp. 16–67).

3.1.2.2 Interpolated Recension (BHG 1144d–g; CPG 7924b)

Athens, Mouseio Benaki, T.A. 141, fols. 66–83v (11th cent.) ~ Pinakes

Escorial (El-), Real Biblioteca, y. II. 11 (Andrés 319), fols. 84–100 (12th/13th cent.) ~ Pinakes

Mount Athos, Monē Ibērōn, 1492, Pars 12, 1–9 (19th cent.) ~ Pinakes

Meteora, Monē Hagiou Stephanou, 15, fols. 15–68v* (17th cent.) ~ Pinakes

Moscow, Rossijskaja Gosudarstvennaja Biblioteka (RGB), Φ. 087 (V. I. Grigorovič) 61 (gr. 113), fols. 3–10 (14th cent.) ~ Pinakes; IMAGES

Oxford, Bodleian Library, Canon. gr. 19, fols. 45–64* (15th/16th cent.) ~ Pinakes; catalog

Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, Coisl. 307, fols. 549–561v (16th cent.) ~ Pinakes; Gallica

Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, gr. 897, fols. 253–271 (15th cent.) ~ Pinakes; Gallica

Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, gr. 987, fols. 102–132 (16th cent.) ~ Pinakes; Gallica

Vienna, Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, hist. gr. 45, fols. 140r–140v (11th cent.)

Vienna, Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, theol. gr. 247, fols. 153–168v (15th cent.) ~ Pinakes

Tyrnabos, Dēmotikē Bibliothēkē, 5, fols. 1–21 (17th cent.) ~ Pinakes

Jugie, Martin. Homélies mariales byzantines. Textes grecs édités et traduits en latin. PO 19. Paris: Firmin-Didot, 1926 (pp. 405–36).

3.1.2.3 Shorter Recension (BHG 1056g–gb)

Brescia, Bibl. Civica Queriniana, A. III. 03, fols. 426v–430v (16th cent.) ~ Pinakes

Mount Athos, Monē Megistēs Lauras, Λ 117 (Eustratiades 1608), fols. 398–417* (16th cent.) ~ Pinakes

Mount Athos, Monē Xenophōntos, 96 (Lambros 798), Item 2 (18th cent.) ~ Pinakes; Athos

Jerusalem, Patriarchikē bibliothēkē, Hagiou Saba 373, fols. 183–210* (17th cent.) ~ Pinakes

Meteora, Monē Metamorphōseōs, 201, fols. 79–86 (15th cent.) ~ Pinakes

Oxford, Bodleian Library, Selden Supra 9, fols. 59r–69r  (1340)

Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, gr. 1190, fols. 224v–238v (1568)

Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, gr. 1504, fols. 95–107, 113–114v (12th cent.) ~ Pinakes; Gallica

Patmos, Monē tou Hagiou Iōannou tou Theologou, 143, fols. 428v–440r (10th cent.) ~ Pinakes

Thessaloniki, Monē Blatadōn, 4, fols. 245–255v (11th cent.) ~ Pinakes

Vatican, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Ott. gr. 415, fols. 304–317v (15th cent.) ~ Pinakes; BAV

3.1.2.4 Epitome (BHG 1056h; CPG 7924c)

Mount Athos, Monē Dionusiou, 80 (Lambros 3614), fols. 19v–20v (14th cent.) ~ Pinakes; LOC

Vatican, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Ott. gr. 411, fols. 473v–476v (15th cent.) ~ Pinakes; BAV 1; BAV 2

Halkin, François. “Une légende byzantine de la Dormition: l’Épitomé du récit de Jean de Thessalonique.” Revue des études byzantines 11 (1953): 156–64.

3.2 Modern Translations

3.2.1 English

Daley, Brian E., trans. On the Dormition of Mary: Early Patristic Homilies. Popular Patristics Series 18. Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir’s Press, 1998 (recension 1, pp. 47–70, introduction, p. 12–13).

3.2.2 Italian

Erbetta, Mario. Gli apocrifi del Nuovo Testamento. 3 vols. Italy: Marietti, 1975–1981 (vol. 1.2, pp. 511–23).

Moraldi, Luigi. Apocrifi del Nuovo Testamento. 2 vols. Classici delle religioni, Sezione quarta, La religione cattolica 24. Turin: Unione Tipografico-Editrice Torinese, 1971 (vol. 1, pp. 841–62).

3.2.3 Spanish

Otero, Aurelio de Santos. Los Evangelios Apócrifos. Madrid: Biblioteca de Autores Christianos, 19561, 19632, 19793 (2nd ed. pp. 605–19).

3.3 General Works

Mimouni, S. C. Dormition et Assumption de Marie. Histoire des traditions anciennes. Théologie Historique 98. Paris: Beauchesne, 1995 (see esp. 142f.).

Panagopoulos, Spyros P. “The Byzantine Traditions of the Virgin Marys Dormition and Assumption.” Studia Patristica 54 (2012): 1–8.

Shoemaker, Stephen J. Ancient Traditions of the Virgin Mary’s Dormition and Assumption. Oxford Early Christian Studies. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002 (esp. 35, 210–11).