Unraveling the Mystery of the Letter to Theodore: Insights from Mar Saba Monastery
The Discovery at Mar Saba
The Mar Saba Monastery, located in the Judean desert, holds a storied past. Its library, once vast and significant, has dwindled over the centuries due to fires, relocations, and thefts. Despite this, it remains a treasure trove of ancient texts. Smith's discovery of the Letter to Theodore in the tower library of Mar Saba, amidst other printed books with handwritten notes, fits well within the historical context of this monastic repository.
Content and Controversy
The content of the Secret Gospel of Mark, particularly the scene where Jesus spends a night with a nearly nude young man, has been the primary source of skepticism among scholars. While this depiction is provocative, it's important to note that the idea of Jesus raising the dead, as seen in the Secret Gospel, is consistent with other biblical miracles, such as the raising of Lazarus. The normalization of resurrection within Christian tradition mitigates the shock value of such miracles, leaving the homoerotic implications as the main point of contention.
Clement's Writings and Their Availability
The chapter explores the availability of Clement of Alexandria's writings in late antique Palestine. Clement's works, though sparse and late in surviving manuscripts, were likely present in significant libraries of the region, such as those in Jerusalem and Caesarea. These libraries were well-stocked with Christian texts, and scholars argue that Clement's writings would have been included among their collections.
Eusebius's Ecclesiastical History
The author of the Letter to Theodore demonstrates familiarity with Eusebius's Ecclesiastical History. This work, written in the 320s CE, was widely available and influential. Its presence in the libraries of late antique Palestine would have provided the author with a rich source of historical and theological material.
Literary Tropes and Monastic Context
The chapter suggests that the Secret Gospel of Mark fits well within the literary and cultural milieu of late antique Palestinian monasticism. Stories of death, resurrection, and tombs were common themes in monastic literature of the time. The parallels between the Secret Gospel and the resurrection narratives in John Moschos's Spiritual Meadow are particularly striking. These stories, filled with miraculous resurrections and subtle erotic undertones, echo the themes found in the Secret Gospel.
Same-Sex Monastic Relationships
A significant portion of the chapter is dedicated to exploring same-sex relationships within monastic communities. These relationships, often characterized by deep emotional bonds and cohabitation, were not uncommon. The practice of adelphopoiesis, or "brother-making," formalized these partnerships. Such relationships, while sometimes homoerotic, were not necessarily sexual. The Secret Gospel's depiction of an intimate, yet ambiguous, relationship between Jesus and the young man can be seen as a reflection of these monastic bonds.
Conclusion: A Monastic Origin
The chapter concludes that the Letter to Theodore and the Secret Gospel of Mark likely originated from a monk in late antique Palestine. The context of Mar Saba, with its rich literary tradition and controversies over monastic practices, provides a plausible setting for the composition of this enigmatic text. The work's focus on same-sex monastic relationships and its intricate use of literary sources like Eusebius's Ecclesiastical History and Clement's writings suggest a sophisticated and deliberate creation aimed at addressing contemporary issues within the monastic community.
In essence, Chapter Nine of Landau and Smith's book offers a compelling argument for the authenticity of the Letter to Theodore as an ancient text, intricately woven into the fabric of late antique Palestinian monasticism. The monastery of Mar Saba, with its storied past and rich literary tradition, emerges as a fitting birthplace for this controversial and fascinating manuscript.
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