Author: Alexis James Doval
Publisher: CUA Press
ISBN: 9780813210797
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 304
Book Description
After centuries of unresolved dispute over the question of whether the Mystagogic Catecheses belongs among the works of St. Cyril of Jerusalem, this book finally settles the controversy. These post-baptismal Easter sermons are a prized witness to the way the rites of initiation (baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist) were celebrated in fourth-century Jerusalem and for the rich sacramental theology they contain. Uncertain authorship has prevented the text from being fully appreciated as an integral part of Cyril's works. Cyril's reputation as a catechist is time-honored, and his Baptismal Catecheses has served as an invaluable source of early Church doctrine and practice. Scholars can now confidently include the mystagogic sermons in their study of Cyril's doctrinal and sacramental theology and practice. This study addresses much more than the question of authorship. A thorough examination of the Mystagogic Catecheses in conjunction with Cyril's Baptismal Catecheses provides a new view into his life and thought as both catechist and mystagogue. It begins with a survey of those aspects of Cyril's life and his Jerusalem church that are relevant to reassessing the authorship of the Mystagogic Catecheses. It then examines the text's manuscript tradition, literary tradition, and date. There follows the most extensive section, a comparative analysis of the disputed sermons and Cyril's Baptismal Catecheses in the areas of liturgical rites, theology, spirituality, and literary style. The text is then compared to the known works of the contending author, John II of Jerusalem. Finally, the sermons are subjected to a stylometric analysis, that is, a computer-based statistical analysis of literary style. This book will be welcomed by scholars of early Christianity, especially those interested in the life and works of Cyril of Jerusalem. Of special interest is its treatment of the history and development of liturgy in the Christian East through the fourth century. This is the first volume in the Patristic Monograph Series of the North American Patristic Society to be published by the Catholic University of America Press. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Alexis James Doval is associate professor of religious studies at Saint Mary's College of California. PRAISE FOR THE BOOK: "[A] considerable contribution to a vexed but vital question about Cyril and the mystagogical catacheses. . . . Doval's study is a must for any patrologist interested in liturgical history and theology, concerned about the resurgence of the Jerusalem church, studying the development of catachesis and catechumenate, or exploring questions related to the controversies of the fourth century."--Prof. Thomas Finn, College of William and Mary "The persistent question of authorship receives a comprehensive treatment in this work. . . . The door on John's authorship of the mystagogical catechesis is not completely closed, but for Doval it remains an improbability at best. Barring new evidence, it will probably never be opened wide again in the wake of this study."--William P. McDonald, Journal of Early Christian Studies "[A]n important purchase for libraries which have patristics collections or collections in the history of doctrine and liturgy." Cecil R. White, Catholic Library World "Doval's cumulative case is compelling, and the onus must now be on those who dispute Cyril's authorship to justify continued dissent. . . . [A]n important contribution to studies of Cyril of Jerusalem and the fourth-century liturgy of the Holy City."--Bryan D. Spinks, Journal of Ecclesiastical History "[This] book offers a very carefully defined structure and method for dealing with a highly complicated question." -- Pablo F. Argarate, Toronto Journal of Theology
Cyril of Jerusalem, Mystagogue
Author: Alexis James Doval
Publisher: CUA Press
ISBN: 9780813210797
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 304
Book Description
After centuries of unresolved dispute over the question of whether the Mystagogic Catecheses belongs among the works of St. Cyril of Jerusalem, this book finally settles the controversy. These post-baptismal Easter sermons are a prized witness to the way the rites of initiation (baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist) were celebrated in fourth-century Jerusalem and for the rich sacramental theology they contain. Uncertain authorship has prevented the text from being fully appreciated as an integral part of Cyril's works. Cyril's reputation as a catechist is time-honored, and his Baptismal Catecheses has served as an invaluable source of early Church doctrine and practice. Scholars can now confidently include the mystagogic sermons in their study of Cyril's doctrinal and sacramental theology and practice. This study addresses much more than the question of authorship. A thorough examination of the Mystagogic Catecheses in conjunction with Cyril's Baptismal Catecheses provides a new view into his life and thought as both catechist and mystagogue. It begins with a survey of those aspects of Cyril's life and his Jerusalem church that are relevant to reassessing the authorship of the Mystagogic Catecheses. It then examines the text's manuscript tradition, literary tradition, and date. There follows the most extensive section, a comparative analysis of the disputed sermons and Cyril's Baptismal Catecheses in the areas of liturgical rites, theology, spirituality, and literary style. The text is then compared to the known works of the contending author, John II of Jerusalem. Finally, the sermons are subjected to a stylometric analysis, that is, a computer-based statistical analysis of literary style. This book will be welcomed by scholars of early Christianity, especially those interested in the life and works of Cyril of Jerusalem. Of special interest is its treatment of the history and development of liturgy in the Christian East through the fourth century. This is the first volume in the Patristic Monograph Series of the North American Patristic Society to be published by the Catholic University of America Press. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Alexis James Doval is associate professor of religious studies at Saint Mary's College of California. PRAISE FOR THE BOOK: "[A] considerable contribution to a vexed but vital question about Cyril and the mystagogical catacheses. . . . Doval's study is a must for any patrologist interested in liturgical history and theology, concerned about the resurgence of the Jerusalem church, studying the development of catachesis and catechumenate, or exploring questions related to the controversies of the fourth century."--Prof. Thomas Finn, College of William and Mary "The persistent question of authorship receives a comprehensive treatment in this work. . . . The door on John's authorship of the mystagogical catechesis is not completely closed, but for Doval it remains an improbability at best. Barring new evidence, it will probably never be opened wide again in the wake of this study."--William P. McDonald, Journal of Early Christian Studies "[A]n important purchase for libraries which have patristics collections or collections in the history of doctrine and liturgy." Cecil R. White, Catholic Library World "Doval's cumulative case is compelling, and the onus must now be on those who dispute Cyril's authorship to justify continued dissent. . . . [A]n important contribution to studies of Cyril of Jerusalem and the fourth-century liturgy of the Holy City."--Bryan D. Spinks, Journal of Ecclesiastical History "[This] book offers a very carefully defined structure and method for dealing with a highly complicated question." -- Pablo F. Argarate, Toronto Journal of Theology
Publisher: CUA Press
ISBN: 9780813210797
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 304
Book Description
After centuries of unresolved dispute over the question of whether the Mystagogic Catecheses belongs among the works of St. Cyril of Jerusalem, this book finally settles the controversy. These post-baptismal Easter sermons are a prized witness to the way the rites of initiation (baptism, confirmation, and Eucharist) were celebrated in fourth-century Jerusalem and for the rich sacramental theology they contain. Uncertain authorship has prevented the text from being fully appreciated as an integral part of Cyril's works. Cyril's reputation as a catechist is time-honored, and his Baptismal Catecheses has served as an invaluable source of early Church doctrine and practice. Scholars can now confidently include the mystagogic sermons in their study of Cyril's doctrinal and sacramental theology and practice. This study addresses much more than the question of authorship. A thorough examination of the Mystagogic Catecheses in conjunction with Cyril's Baptismal Catecheses provides a new view into his life and thought as both catechist and mystagogue. It begins with a survey of those aspects of Cyril's life and his Jerusalem church that are relevant to reassessing the authorship of the Mystagogic Catecheses. It then examines the text's manuscript tradition, literary tradition, and date. There follows the most extensive section, a comparative analysis of the disputed sermons and Cyril's Baptismal Catecheses in the areas of liturgical rites, theology, spirituality, and literary style. The text is then compared to the known works of the contending author, John II of Jerusalem. Finally, the sermons are subjected to a stylometric analysis, that is, a computer-based statistical analysis of literary style. This book will be welcomed by scholars of early Christianity, especially those interested in the life and works of Cyril of Jerusalem. Of special interest is its treatment of the history and development of liturgy in the Christian East through the fourth century. This is the first volume in the Patristic Monograph Series of the North American Patristic Society to be published by the Catholic University of America Press. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Alexis James Doval is associate professor of religious studies at Saint Mary's College of California. PRAISE FOR THE BOOK: "[A] considerable contribution to a vexed but vital question about Cyril and the mystagogical catacheses. . . . Doval's study is a must for any patrologist interested in liturgical history and theology, concerned about the resurgence of the Jerusalem church, studying the development of catachesis and catechumenate, or exploring questions related to the controversies of the fourth century."--Prof. Thomas Finn, College of William and Mary "The persistent question of authorship receives a comprehensive treatment in this work. . . . The door on John's authorship of the mystagogical catechesis is not completely closed, but for Doval it remains an improbability at best. Barring new evidence, it will probably never be opened wide again in the wake of this study."--William P. McDonald, Journal of Early Christian Studies "[A]n important purchase for libraries which have patristics collections or collections in the history of doctrine and liturgy." Cecil R. White, Catholic Library World "Doval's cumulative case is compelling, and the onus must now be on those who dispute Cyril's authorship to justify continued dissent. . . . [A]n important contribution to studies of Cyril of Jerusalem and the fourth-century liturgy of the Holy City."--Bryan D. Spinks, Journal of Ecclesiastical History "[This] book offers a very carefully defined structure and method for dealing with a highly complicated question." -- Pablo F. Argarate, Toronto Journal of Theology
Secret Faith in the Public Square
Author: Jonathan Malesic
Publisher: Baker Books
ISBN: 1441204849
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 278
Book Description
In this groundbreaking and provocative book, Jonathan Malesic argues that the best way for Christians to be caretakers of their tradition and to love their neighbors selflessly is to conceal their religious identity in American public life. The alternative--insisting on Christianity's public visibility in politics, the marketplace, and the workplace--risks severely compromising the distinctiveness of Christian identity. Delving deep into the Christian tradition, Malesic explains that keeping Christian identity secret means living fully in the world while maintaining Christian language, prayer, and liturgy in reserve. He shows how major thinkers--Cyril of Jerusalem, Søren Kierkegaard, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer--sought to protect Christian identity from being compromised by the public sphere. He then shows that Christians' dual responsibilities for the tradition and for the neighbor must be kept secret.
Publisher: Baker Books
ISBN: 1441204849
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 278
Book Description
In this groundbreaking and provocative book, Jonathan Malesic argues that the best way for Christians to be caretakers of their tradition and to love their neighbors selflessly is to conceal their religious identity in American public life. The alternative--insisting on Christianity's public visibility in politics, the marketplace, and the workplace--risks severely compromising the distinctiveness of Christian identity. Delving deep into the Christian tradition, Malesic explains that keeping Christian identity secret means living fully in the world while maintaining Christian language, prayer, and liturgy in reserve. He shows how major thinkers--Cyril of Jerusalem, Søren Kierkegaard, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer--sought to protect Christian identity from being compromised by the public sphere. He then shows that Christians' dual responsibilities for the tradition and for the neighbor must be kept secret.
The Baptismal Liturgy of Jerusalem
Author: Juliette Day
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1317040635
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 166
Book Description
Was Jerusalem, under her bishop Cyril, the source of liturgical innovations in the fourth century or was she simply following trends which also affected the liturgy of neighbouring provinces? In assessing these two established propositions in relation to baptism, Juliette Day undertakes a careful comparative analysis of all the relevant sources for Palestine, Egypt and Syria, paying attention to the structure, content and theological narrative of the rites which they describe. The Mystagogical Catecheses, commonly attributed to Cyril of Jerusalem, are the key source in this discussion and this book demonstrates that they date from the episcopate of his successor John.
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1317040635
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 166
Book Description
Was Jerusalem, under her bishop Cyril, the source of liturgical innovations in the fourth century or was she simply following trends which also affected the liturgy of neighbouring provinces? In assessing these two established propositions in relation to baptism, Juliette Day undertakes a careful comparative analysis of all the relevant sources for Palestine, Egypt and Syria, paying attention to the structure, content and theological narrative of the rites which they describe. The Mystagogical Catecheses, commonly attributed to Cyril of Jerusalem, are the key source in this discussion and this book demonstrates that they date from the episcopate of his successor John.
The Rites of Christian Initiation
Author: Maxwell E. Johnson
Publisher: Liturgical Press
ISBN: 0814662749
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 518
Book Description
Originally published in 1999, The Rites of Christian Initiation was haled for its clarity and comprehensiveness. Kalian McDonnell, OSB, called it the best overall treatment of Christian initiation available, and Paul Bradshaw predicted it would be the standard textbook on the subject for very many years to come." The current edition draws on new translations of early texts on baptism as well as recent scholarship on the early traditions in the East and West. It is sure to replace itself as the new standard reference on the rites of Christian initiation. Maxwell E. Johnson's expanded and revised text provides a more complete view of the history and interpretation of the rites in the Eastern Church, including two chapters that explore the pre-Nicene Eastern and Western traditions in detail. Revisiting the theology of baptism, this edition also provides more nuanced positions on the Eastern and Western traditions. Finally, recent liturgical developments in American Protestant churches, particularly Lutheran, as well as the ongoing development of the RCIA and confirmation practices of Catholics, made it necessary to revisit the place and meaning of these rites in the church today. Maxwell E. Johnson, PhD, is professor of liturgy at the University of Notre Dame and an ordained minister of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He has published in Worship and is the editor of and contributor to Living Water, Sealing Spirit: Readings on Christian Initiation (Liturgical Press, 1995) and the revised and expanded edition of E.C. Whitaker, Documents of the Baptismal Liturgy (Liturgical Press and S.P.C.K., 2003), to which this study serves as a companion volume. "
Publisher: Liturgical Press
ISBN: 0814662749
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 518
Book Description
Originally published in 1999, The Rites of Christian Initiation was haled for its clarity and comprehensiveness. Kalian McDonnell, OSB, called it the best overall treatment of Christian initiation available, and Paul Bradshaw predicted it would be the standard textbook on the subject for very many years to come." The current edition draws on new translations of early texts on baptism as well as recent scholarship on the early traditions in the East and West. It is sure to replace itself as the new standard reference on the rites of Christian initiation. Maxwell E. Johnson's expanded and revised text provides a more complete view of the history and interpretation of the rites in the Eastern Church, including two chapters that explore the pre-Nicene Eastern and Western traditions in detail. Revisiting the theology of baptism, this edition also provides more nuanced positions on the Eastern and Western traditions. Finally, recent liturgical developments in American Protestant churches, particularly Lutheran, as well as the ongoing development of the RCIA and confirmation practices of Catholics, made it necessary to revisit the place and meaning of these rites in the church today. Maxwell E. Johnson, PhD, is professor of liturgy at the University of Notre Dame and an ordained minister of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He has published in Worship and is the editor of and contributor to Living Water, Sealing Spirit: Readings on Christian Initiation (Liturgical Press, 1995) and the revised and expanded edition of E.C. Whitaker, Documents of the Baptismal Liturgy (Liturgical Press and S.P.C.K., 2003), to which this study serves as a companion volume. "
Making Amulets Christian
Author: Theodore De Bruyn
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0199687889
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 307
Book Description
Making Amulets Christian: Artefacts, Scribes, and Contexts examines Greek amulets with Christian elements from late antique Egypt in order to discern the processes whereby a customary practice--the writing of incantations on amulets--changed in an increasingly Christian context. It considers how the formulation of incantations and amulets changed as the Christian church became the prevailing religious institution in Egypt in the last centuries of the Roman empire. Theodore de Bruyn investigates what we can learn from incantations and amulets containing Christian elements about the cultural and social location of the people who wrote them. He shows how incantations and amulets were indebted to rituals or ritualizing behavior of Christians. This study analyzes different types of amulets and the ways in which they incorporate Christian elements. By comparing the formulation and writing of individual amulets that are similar to one another, one can observe differences in the culture of the scribes of these materials. It argues for 'conditioned individuality' in the production of amulets. On the one hand, amulets manifest qualities that reflect the training and culture of the individual writer. On the other hand, amulets reveal that individual writers were shaped, whether consciously or inadvertently, by the resources they drew upon-by what is called 'tradition' in the field of religious studies.
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0199687889
Category : Body, Mind & Spirit
Languages : en
Pages : 307
Book Description
Making Amulets Christian: Artefacts, Scribes, and Contexts examines Greek amulets with Christian elements from late antique Egypt in order to discern the processes whereby a customary practice--the writing of incantations on amulets--changed in an increasingly Christian context. It considers how the formulation of incantations and amulets changed as the Christian church became the prevailing religious institution in Egypt in the last centuries of the Roman empire. Theodore de Bruyn investigates what we can learn from incantations and amulets containing Christian elements about the cultural and social location of the people who wrote them. He shows how incantations and amulets were indebted to rituals or ritualizing behavior of Christians. This study analyzes different types of amulets and the ways in which they incorporate Christian elements. By comparing the formulation and writing of individual amulets that are similar to one another, one can observe differences in the culture of the scribes of these materials. It argues for 'conditioned individuality' in the production of amulets. On the one hand, amulets manifest qualities that reflect the training and culture of the individual writer. On the other hand, amulets reveal that individual writers were shaped, whether consciously or inadvertently, by the resources they drew upon-by what is called 'tradition' in the field of religious studies.
From Nicaea to Chalcedon
Author: Frances M. Young
Publisher: SCM Press
ISBN: 0334047994
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 417
Book Description
Created as a companion guide to a Patristics textbook, From Nicaea to Chalcedon surveys a variety of writings to have occurred during one of the most significant periods in the formation of the Church, from 265-466. It does not aim to cover the subject as a textbook would, but aims to delve deeper into some of the characters who were involved with the Church or the Councils during this period. Beginning with Eusebius of Caesarea and the first council of the Church at Nicaea, and ending with Theodoret of Cyrrhus, who is thought to have changed his view of Christology after the watershed Council of Chalcedon, this unique text surveys some of the most influential characters to have shaped Church history and the formation of doctrine. Surveying a mixture of significant literary figures, laymen, bishops and heretics this book presents biographical, literary-critical and theological information about each. They are chosen either because they are important to the history of doctrine, or because new material about them has thrown light upon their work, or because they will broaden the reader's understanding of the culture and history of the period or of live issues in the church at the time. Structured in five parts, each part deals with a period of time and a sequence of characters, so the book is easily followed in chronological order. Added to this, is the double bibliography, which in this edition is fully updated. Bibliography A details those texts in English of the original texts of antiquity, whilst Bibliography B provides details of publications in English, French and German which have appeared since 1960-2004 on or about the characters discussed in the body of the text.
Publisher: SCM Press
ISBN: 0334047994
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 417
Book Description
Created as a companion guide to a Patristics textbook, From Nicaea to Chalcedon surveys a variety of writings to have occurred during one of the most significant periods in the formation of the Church, from 265-466. It does not aim to cover the subject as a textbook would, but aims to delve deeper into some of the characters who were involved with the Church or the Councils during this period. Beginning with Eusebius of Caesarea and the first council of the Church at Nicaea, and ending with Theodoret of Cyrrhus, who is thought to have changed his view of Christology after the watershed Council of Chalcedon, this unique text surveys some of the most influential characters to have shaped Church history and the formation of doctrine. Surveying a mixture of significant literary figures, laymen, bishops and heretics this book presents biographical, literary-critical and theological information about each. They are chosen either because they are important to the history of doctrine, or because new material about them has thrown light upon their work, or because they will broaden the reader's understanding of the culture and history of the period or of live issues in the church at the time. Structured in five parts, each part deals with a period of time and a sequence of characters, so the book is easily followed in chronological order. Added to this, is the double bibliography, which in this edition is fully updated. Bibliography A details those texts in English of the original texts of antiquity, whilst Bibliography B provides details of publications in English, French and German which have appeared since 1960-2004 on or about the characters discussed in the body of the text.
Palestine in Late Antiquity
Author: Hagith Sivan
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0199284172
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 450
Book Description
An original study of Palestine in late antiquity, a time when the fortunes of the 'east' and the 'west' were intimately linked. Thousands of westerners flocked to what became a Christian holy land, while Jerusalem grew from a sleepy Roman town into an international centre of Christianity and ultimately into a centre of Islamic worship.
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0199284172
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 450
Book Description
An original study of Palestine in late antiquity, a time when the fortunes of the 'east' and the 'west' were intimately linked. Thousands of westerners flocked to what became a Christian holy land, while Jerusalem grew from a sleepy Roman town into an international centre of Christianity and ultimately into a centre of Islamic worship.
Liturgy and Byzantinization in Jerusalem
Author: Daniel Galadza
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0198812035
Category : Music
Languages : en
Pages : 457
Book Description
This book examines the way Christians in Jerusalem prayed and how their prayer changed in the face of foreign invasions and the destruction of their places of worship.
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0198812035
Category : Music
Languages : en
Pages : 457
Book Description
This book examines the way Christians in Jerusalem prayed and how their prayer changed in the face of foreign invasions and the destruction of their places of worship.
Eucharistic Origins, Revised Edition
Author: Paul F. Bradshaw
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
ISBN: 1666758175
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 206
Book Description
Eucharistic Origins was published a number of years ago. This revised edition continues to incorporate the work of the latest liturgical scholars in establishing that the earliest Christian celebrations arose out of varied forms of their ritual meals, and not out of the Last Supper. The custom of centering Christian practice in ritual meals seems to have lasted for about one hundred and fifty years before it began to be replaced by morning meetings at which the sacrament was distributed, and subsequently by a complete celebration of the Eucharist. It is here, in the third and fourth centuries, and not in the distant Jewish past, that the forms of the classical eucharistic prayers emerged and developed. The most important of these are presented in full, and their theology discussed.
Publisher: Wipf and Stock Publishers
ISBN: 1666758175
Category : Religion
Languages : en
Pages : 206
Book Description
Eucharistic Origins was published a number of years ago. This revised edition continues to incorporate the work of the latest liturgical scholars in establishing that the earliest Christian celebrations arose out of varied forms of their ritual meals, and not out of the Last Supper. The custom of centering Christian practice in ritual meals seems to have lasted for about one hundred and fifty years before it began to be replaced by morning meetings at which the sacrament was distributed, and subsequently by a complete celebration of the Eucharist. It is here, in the third and fourth centuries, and not in the distant Jewish past, that the forms of the classical eucharistic prayers emerged and developed. The most important of these are presented in full, and their theology discussed.
The Power of Religion in Late Antiquity
Author: Andrew Cain
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1317019539
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 435
Book Description
Late Antiquity witnessed a dramatic recalibration in the economy of power, and nowhere was this more pronounced than in the realm of religion. The transformations that occurred in this pivotal era moved the ancient world into the Middle Ages and forever changed the way that religion was practiced. The twenty eight studies in this volume explore this shift using evidence ranging from Latin poetic texts, to Syriac letter collections, to the iconography of Roman churches and Merowingian mortuary goods. They range in chronology from the late third through the early seventh centuries AD and apply varied theories and approaches. All converge around the notion that religion is fundamentally a discourse of power and that power in Late Antiquity was especially charged with the force of religion. The articles are divided into eight sections which examine the power of religion in literature, theurgical power over the divine, emperors and the deployment of religious power, limitations on the power of the ecclesiastical hierarchy, the use of the cross as a symbol of power, Rome and its transformation as a center of power, the power of religion in the barbarian west, and religious power in the communities of the east. This kaleidoscope of perspectives creates a richly illuminating volume that add a new social and political dimension to current debates about religion in Late Antiquity.
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1317019539
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 435
Book Description
Late Antiquity witnessed a dramatic recalibration in the economy of power, and nowhere was this more pronounced than in the realm of religion. The transformations that occurred in this pivotal era moved the ancient world into the Middle Ages and forever changed the way that religion was practiced. The twenty eight studies in this volume explore this shift using evidence ranging from Latin poetic texts, to Syriac letter collections, to the iconography of Roman churches and Merowingian mortuary goods. They range in chronology from the late third through the early seventh centuries AD and apply varied theories and approaches. All converge around the notion that religion is fundamentally a discourse of power and that power in Late Antiquity was especially charged with the force of religion. The articles are divided into eight sections which examine the power of religion in literature, theurgical power over the divine, emperors and the deployment of religious power, limitations on the power of the ecclesiastical hierarchy, the use of the cross as a symbol of power, Rome and its transformation as a center of power, the power of religion in the barbarian west, and religious power in the communities of the east. This kaleidoscope of perspectives creates a richly illuminating volume that add a new social and political dimension to current debates about religion in Late Antiquity.