Commentarius, auctore Symeone Metaphrasta
Standard abbreviation: Hypom. Luke
Other titles: none
Clavis numbers: ECCA 153; CANT 290
Category: Hagiography
Related literature: Hypomnema on Timothy, by Symeon Metaphrastes
Compiled by: Tony Burke, York University
Citing this resource (using Chicago Manual of Style): Burke, Tony. “Hypomnema on Luke by Symeon Metaphrastes.” e-Clavis: Christian Apocrypha. Accessed DAY MONTH YEAR. https://www.nasscal.com/e-clavis-christian-apocrypha/hypomnema-on-luke-by-symeon-metaphrastes/.
Created September 2024.
1. SUMMARY
Symeon presents a fairly complete biography of Luke, though more in summary than a detailed narrative, and peppered with praise, as is appropriate in an encomium. He writes that Luke was born in Antioch, where he was well educated as a child, learning Syriac (Aramaic) and Hebrew. In adolescence he went to schools in Greece and Egypt, where he learned rhetoric and philosophy and finally medicine. After hearing of the teachings of Jesus, Luke travelled throughout Judea and Galilee until he met Jesus and became a disciple, enticed not by miracles and speeches but by “pure truth.” Luke also became a witness to the resurrection when he encountered Jesus on the road to Emmaus along with Cleopas.
After the assumption, Luke was designated teacher of the Gentiles by the apostles. He endured many hardships spreading the gospel on land and sea and in every city. He became a travelling companion to Paul, who frequently named him his beloved in his letters. Symeon writes of Luke’s writing endeavours, summarizing points from the Gospel and Acts. He is known also for painting an image of Mary and the infant Christ.
After Paul left for Rome, Luke departed East, traversing all of Libya and reaching Egypt. In Thebes he was appointed bishop; there he cast down statues and pagan temples and established churches and consecrated clergy. Symeon says little about Luke’s death but it is clear that he did not suffer martyrdom.
Symeon then relates how Luke’s remains journeyed from Achaea (nothing is said of how they arrived there from Thebes) to Constantinople. Constantius, the son of Constantine, journeyed to the frontier of the empire, south of the Danube, to guard against a barbarian invasion from the north. There in Hadrianopolis, he met a bishop who told him that Andrew and Luke were buried in Achaea. He sent Artemius to bring back the bodies. A large church was built near the tomb of his father to house their remains (the Church of the Apostles). Within a short time Timothy was brought there also from Ephesus. Later the emperor Justinian enclosed the relics in a silver shrine.
Symeon finishes his account with a miracle story. A eunuch named Anatolius had an illness that could not be cured by physicians. He approached the remains of Luke and was cured.
Named historical figures and characters: Anatolius (of Constantinople), Andrew (apostle), Artemius (of Antioch), Cleopas, Constantine (emperor), Constantius II (emperor), Gabriel (angel), Hadrian, Justinian (emperor), Mary (Virgin), Paul (apostle), Stephen, Timothy.
Geographical locations: Achaea, Antioch, Boeotia, Byzantium, Constantinople, Danube, Egypt, Emmaus, Ephesus, Galilee, Greece, Hadrianopolis, Ionia, Judea, Libya, Orontes, Rome, Sirmium, Thebes, Thrace.
2. RESOURCES
3. BIBLIOGRAPHY
3.1 Manuscripts and Editions
3.1.1 Greek (BHG 991; additional manuscripts listed on Pinakes)
Jerusalem, Patriarchikē bibliothēkē, Panagios Taphos gr. 66, fols. 165v–173r (15th/16th cent.)
London, British Library, Add. 36654, fols. 95r–99v (12th cent.)
Vatican, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Ott. gr. 411, fols. 59v–64v (15th cent.)
Migne, Jacques-Paul. Patrologiae cursus completus: Series graeca. Vol. 115. Paris: Cerf, 1903 (reproduction of Greek and Latin translation from Morel, cols. 1129–40).
Donato, Benardino, ed. Expositiones antiquae … ex diuersis sanctorum patrum commentariis ab Oecumenio et Aretha collectae. Veronae: Apus Stephanum & fratres Sabios, 1532 (Greek edition from unidentified source, pp. 1009–1013).
Morel, Fédéric. Οἰκουμενίου ὑπομνήματα εἰς τὰς τῆς Νέας Διαθήκης πραγματείας τάσδε: εἰς τὰς Πράξεις τῶν Αποστόλων, εἰς τὰς Παύλου πάσας, εἰς τὰς Καθολικὰς ἐπιστολὰς πάσας [Oecumenii Commentaria in hosce Novi Testamenti tractatus: in Acta Apostolorum, in omnes Pauli epistolas, in epistolas catholicas omnes.] 2 vols. Paris: Lutetiae Parisiorum Sonnius, 1630–1631 (reprint of Donato’s text, vol. 2, pp. 853–60).
Combefis, François. Bibliothecae graecorum patrum auctarium novissimum. 2 vols. Paris: Aegidii Hotot, 1672 (Greek text and Latin translation from unidentified source, vol. 1, pp. 513–518; commentary, pp. 537–40).
Bolland, Jean et al., eds. Acta Sanctorum, Octobris. Vol. 8. Antwerp: P. Jacobs 1853 (pp. ?); 3rd ed. Paris: V. Palmé, 1870 (vol. 8, pp. 310–13) (Latin translation of Donato’s text by Josepho van Hecke).
3.1.2 Synaxarion of Constantinople (17 September)
Hippolyte Delehaye, Synaxarinum Ecclesiae Constantinopolitanae e códice Sirmondiano, nunc Berolinensi adiectis synaxariis selectis. Brussels: Société des Bollandistes, 1902 (cols. 147–48).
3.2 Modern Translations
3.3 General Works
Lipsius, Richard A. Die apokryphen Apostelgeschichten und Apostellegenden. 2 vols. in 3 parts. Braunschweig, 1883–1890 (see vol. 2.2, pp. 362–63).