Theological Analysis of the Homily Attributed to Athanasius of Alexandria "In Nativitatem Praecursoris"
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55804/TSU-ti-4/TsetskhladzeKeywords:
Old Georgian Translation, Problem of Pseudonymity, Authenticity, Pseudo-Athanasius, John the ForerunnerAbstract
The article is dedicated to the homily "Homilia in Nativitatem Praecursoris" (PG 28, 905–913) attributed to Pseudo-Athanasius of Alexandria and its Old Georgian translation. The authenticity of the homily remains a debated issue. The Georgian version survives in a single 16th-century manuscript, part of the Gelati metaphrastic collection, placed among texts for the June 24 reading. The identity of its translator is unknown. The homily is of significant interest as it interprets several biblical passages, including episodes from the Gospel of Luke, such as Gabriel’s annunciation to Zechariah regarding the birth of John the Forerunner (Luke 1:5–20) and the Annunciation to the Theotokos (Luke 1:26–38). Besides these, the homily references and interprets numerous other biblical passages, making it particularly valuable for the study of angelology. Its literary quality stands out, both in the original Greek and the Old Georgian translation, characterized by rich stylistic devices and rhetorical narrative typical of oratory art. The study examines the source-critical, theological, and philological aspects of the text, focusing on its content, form, and structure. Special attention is given to the authenticity of the homily and the analysis of the Georgian translation, an early Christian literary monument distinguished by stylistic and lexical features unique to the original text. The article explores hypotheses regarding the homily's authenticity, manuscript evidence, and stylistic characteristics of both the original and the Georgian translation. Textual analysis is supported by source-critical methods, enabling the determination of the translation type, stylistic features, and its correspondence to the original. Furthermore, the theological themes of the homily are discussed, reflecting fundamental principles of Christian faith and the role of the Forerunner in Christian church history. The ideological and pedagogical functions of the text are highlighted, underscoring its unique value as a monument of Christian heritage. The study also underscores the significance of the Old Georgian translation and its cultural context, contributing to the understanding of Georgian Christian literature and tradition.
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