Commentarius, auctore Symeone Metaphrasta
Standard abbreviation: Hypom. Jas.
Other titles: none
Clavis numbers: ECCA 144
Category: Apocryphal Acts
Related literature: Eusebius of Caesarea, Historia ecclesiastica 2.23.3–20
Compiled by Tony Burke, York University
Citing this resource (using Chicago Manual of Style): Burke, Tony. “Hypomnema on James, Brother of the Lord, by Symeon Metaphrastes.” e-Clavis: Christian Apocrypha. Accessed DAY MONTH YEAR. https://www.nasscal.com/e-clavis-christian-apocrypha/hypomnema-on-james-brother-of-the-lord-by-symeon-metaphrastes/.
Created January 2023. Current as of January 2024.
1. SUMMARY
Symeon Metaphrastes is credited as the author of a number of Hypomnemata on the apostles and other early Christian figures; almost all of them rewrite or incorporate apocryphal traditions. Hypom. Jas. is an exception in that, like other texts on James, it draws its account not from apocrypha but from Eusebius of Caesarea (with brief mention of Clement of Alexandria, though via Eusebius). It is included on e-Clavis for information purposes.
The text opens with mention of James’ origins: he was born in Judea to Joseph, who was married to Mary, the mother of Jesus. A description is given—noting his eyes (mild and calm) and ears (open to divine words), and his knees (rough from kneeling in prayer)—and it is said that he was praised for his virtue by both Christians and non-Christians. After mention of James becoming bishop of Jerusalem, Symeon turns to discussion of James’ thoughts (the canonical Epistle of James, described here in pars. 3–11) and deeds (beginning with references to James in Galatians and Acts, pars. 12–14; and then his martyrdom from Eusebius, pars. 16–20). Symeon departs little from Eusebius’ account, sometimes following it word-for-word. He begins with Eusebius’ quotation of Hegesippus (covering Hist. eccl. 23.3.8–18) and then turns to discussion of the deposing of Ananus by Agrippa, drawing on Josephus (Ant. 20.20, but transmitted also in Hist. eccl. 2.23.20–24) with some expansions. The final paragraph situates James among the martyrs: Stephen was the first martyr of the deacons, James (son of Zebedee) of the apostles, and James of the bishops.
It should be noted that Hypom. Jas. is a rephrasing of an earlier encomium credited to Andrew of Crete (BHG 766; PG 115:32–44).
2. RESOURCES
3. BIBLIOGRAPHY
3.1 Manuscripts and Editions
3.1.1 Greek (BHG 764); 83 manuscripts are listed on Pinakes
London, British Library, Add. 36654, fols. 160r–166r (12th cent.)
Bolland, Jean et al., eds. Acta Sanctorum, Maii. Vol. 1. Antwerp: P. Jacobs, 1680 (edition based on a manuscript from Paris, pp. 735–38). 3rd ed. Paris: V. Palmé, 1866 (Greek text, pp. xiii–xvi; Latin translation, pp. 31–35).
Combefis, François. Bibliothecae graecorum patrum auctarium novissimum. 2 vols. Paris: Aegidii Hotot, 1672 (Greek text and Latin translation from unidentified source, vol. 1, pp. 519–27; commentary, pp. 540–44).
Migne, Jacques-Paul. Patrologiae cursus completus: Series graeca. Vol. 115. Paris: Cerf, 1899 (reproduction of edition from Acta Sanctorum, pp. 199–218).
3.2 Modern Translations
3.3 General Works
Jones, Stanley. “The Martyrdom of James in Hegesippus, Clement of Alexandria, and Christian Apocrypha, Including Nag Hammadi: A Study of Textual Relations.” Pages 322–35 in Society of Biblical Literature: 1990 Seminar Papers. Edited by David J. Lull. Atlanta: Scholars Press, 1990.
Lipsius, Richard A. Die Apokryphen Apostelgeschichten und Apostellegenden. Ein Beitrag zur altchristlichen Literaturgeschichte. 2 vols. Braunschweig: Schwetschke, 1883–1887 (see vol. 2.2, pp. 249–50).
Noret, Jacques. Un éloge de Jacques le frère du Seigneur. Studies and Texts 44. Toronto: Pontifical Institute of Medieval Studies, 1978 (pp. 103–105)
Peyr, Elisabeth. “Zur Umarbeitung rhetorischer texte durch Symeon Metaphrastes.” Jahrbuch der Österreichischen Byzantinistik 42 (1992): 143–55 (see p. 146).