Proclus of Constantinople : encomia on the Apostles Paul and Andrew (Homilies 18 and 19)

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to provide an annotated translation of two homilies of Proclus of Constantinople dedicated to the apostles Paul (homily 18) and Andrew (homily 19). Their treatment in one article is justified because of the fact that a section of one homily is repeated in the other (the relevant passages are added as appendix at the close of the article), and also the fact that both belong to the genre of the hagiographical homily (commemoration of the saints). The translations are accompanied by notes on various aspects of style and theology of the homilies, including a detailed reference to biblical allusions. This is followed by remarks on the content and structure of each homily. The contents of the homily on Paul is based on an overall picture of his life experiences in the service of the gospel of Christ, as these are witnessed in his letters and the Acts of the Apostles, while the homily on Andrew is in part based on the words of Andrew himself in John 1.41 ("We have found the Messiah"). The homily on Paul is dominated by athletic and military images, which are part and parcel of the hagiographical genre, while the image of the fishing-net (of the Gospel) dominates the homily on Andrew.