Author:John of Damascus

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Saint John of Damascus
(c. 676 - December 5,749)

Biography · John of Damascus

Notes on Author: He was born and raised in Damascus, in all probability at the Monastery of Saint Sabbas (Mar Saba), South East of Jerusalem. He is commemorated by the Orthodox Church December 4.

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Content of article:

Contents 1 Works by the Author 1.1 Early Work 1.2 Teachings and Dogmatic Work 1.3 Hymns and Minor Writings 1.4 Writings available on the Internet 2 Works about the Author

[edit] Works by the Author

[edit] Early Work

• Three "Apologetic Treatises against those Decrying the Holy Images" - These treatises where among his earliest expositions in response to the edict by Leo the Isaurian of Constantinople, which banned the worship or exhibition of holy images.

[edit] Teachings and Dogmatic Work

• "Fountain of Knowledge", also "The Fountain of Wisdom", this book is divided in three parts:
  1. "Philosophical Chapters" (Kephalaia philosophika) - Commonly called 'Dialectic', deals mostly with logic, its primary purpose being to prepare the reader for a better understanding of the rest of the book.
  2. "Concerning Heresy" (peri aipeseon) - In this book, in the section On Heresies, he dedicates a portion to the Heresy of the Ishmaelites, being the first apologetic work against Islam by a Christian.
  3. "An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith" (Ikdosis akribes tes orthodoxou pisteos) [1] - This third section of the book is known to be the most important work of John de Damascene, and a treasured antiquity of Christianity.

• "Sacred Parallels" (MPG, xcv. 1040-xcvi. 544)

[edit] Hymns and Minor Writings

• Oktoechos - Known as the "hymn-book for the daily service," for which he may be only responsible improving and revising.
• Canons - 8 or 9 highly complicated structure of hymns, composed of 3 or 4 strophes, each with its own individual composition and melody.
• "Tract on Right Thinking" - Minor writing consisting on an apology for the residents of Damascus.
• "Dialogue against Manicheans" - A form of dialogue aimed at answering questions proposed by his disciples.
• "Conversation between a Saracen and a Christian" - Similar form as previous work.
• "Introduction to Elementary Dogmatics" - As the name says, also aimed at his disciples.

[edit] Writings available on the Internet

• Schaff, Philip (1819-1893), NPNF2-09. Hilary of Poitiers, John of Damascus
• John of Damascus, St. (c.675-749), St. John of Damascene on Holy Images followed by three sermons on the assumption.
• Details of his work
• Icon of St. John of Damascus
• Another Icon of St. John of Damascus
• John of Damascus: In Defense of Icons, c. 730
• John of Damascus: Apologia Against Those Who Decry Holy Images
• John of Damascus: Three Sermons on the Dormition of the Virgin

[edit] Works about the Author

• "St. John Damascene on Holy Images, Followed by Three Sermons on the Assumption" - Eng. transl. by Mary H. Allies, London, 1899