Types and Symbols of the Church According to Jacob of Sarug

423 Pages·2017·2.099 MB·English

by  Armando Badih Elkhoury

Katholische Universität Eichstätt-Ingolstadt
TYPES AND SYMBOLS OF THE CHURCH
IN THE WRITINGS OF JACOB OF SARUG
A DISSERTATION
Submitted to
The Faculty of Theology
In Partial fulfillment of the Requirements
For the Degree of
Doctor of Theology
©
Copyright
All Rights Reserved
By
Armando Badih Elkhoury
Director: Prof. Dr. Peter Bruns
Reader: Prof. Dr. Sidney Griffith
Eichstätt, Bavaria, Germany
July 2017
ABSTRACT
TYPES AND SYMBOLS OF THE CHURCH
IN THE WRITINGS OF JACOB OF SARUG
Armando Elkhoury
Readers: Peter Bruns, Sidney Griffith
This study deals with the life story of Jacob of Sarug (A.D. 451-521) and
the various typologies of the Church scattered in his copious mimre. Jacob of
Sarug is one of the most prolific, distinguished, and influential Syriac authors,
yet a systematic examination of his symbolic language referring to the Church
remains a desideratum. The following research satisfies this want which
stems from the fact that the Church is next to Jesus Christ in importance, as
her subject is prominent in Jacob's poetic works. The work presented herein
complements and contributes to the scholarly works already published in the
theological field of Syriac Ecclesiology. Moreover, it is a foundational study
for further researchers and theologians wishing to investigate Jacob’s
comprehension of the Church.
This study shows that the question about the person of Jacob of Sarug
shall remain unsatisfactorily answered, for his life stories discovered in extant
manuscripts are hagiographical. Next, it reveals the Church as a building on
Golgotha based on the actions of Melchizedek, Abraham, Jacob, and Moses.
Then, it explains Jacob's depiction of the Church as a fisherman and life-
giving fishnet. Next, it deals with the topic of the Church as the Garden of
Eden on Earth in whose midst is the Tree of Life. Lastly, this study explicates
the notion of the Church as the Virgin Bride of Christ.
The Church as such emerges as a permanent reality solidly founded on
the cross, a sacramental and missionary Church, and sacrifice is central to her
understanding. The Mysteries and the proclamation of the Good News are
essential to the continuation of her Lord's mission. Moreover, she is a return
to the Garden of Eden which anticipates God's promise of salvation in the
afterlife.
Finally, Christ will always be united to her no matter what, for she is in
effect his created body. Therefore, she remains with him wherever he is, and
her actions mimic his deeds. She follows him to Sheol, breaks down its gates,
frees Adam, resurrects with her Lord, is victorious over sin and death, and
nothing overcomes her.
In memory of my parents, Badih and Laurence
To my siblings, their spouses, children, and grandchildren
܀ ܝܗܺ ͢͹ܶ ΄ܰ ͕ܗܳ ܝܗ̱ ܘΕܰ ͮܐܕܺ ͔ͳܳ ͮܐܘܰ Α͚ͯܶ ܢͣܽ ͻܐܶ ͥܰ͠
They are one: wheresoever he is, behold she is with him.
—Jacob of Sarug
CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGMENT...........................................................................................ix
ABBREVIATIONS....................................................................................................xi
INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................1
CHAPTER 1 JACOB OF SARUG.........................................................................7
1.1 Life................................................................................................7
1.1.1 Biographical Sources........................................................7
1.1.2 A Sketch of Jacob’s Life..................................................11
1.2 Works.........................................................................................24
1.3 Jacob’s Audience......................................................................29
1.4 Theological and Political Contexts........................................31
1.4.1 The Precursors of the Council of Chalcedon...............32
1.4.2 The Council of Chalcedon (A.D. 451)...........................39
1.4.3 State and Church.............................................................40
1.5 Chalcedonian or Non-Chalcedonian?...................................43
CHAPTER 2 THE CHURCH, BUILDING ON GOLGOTHA......................51
2.1 The House on Golgotha Melchizedek Built.........................56
2.1.1 Perfect Priesthood...........................................................56
2.1.2 New Mysteries.................................................................60
2.1.3 House on Golgotha for the Holy Things.....................62
2.2 The Altar Abraham and Isaac Built.......................................63
2.2.1 The Day of the Lord........................................................63
2.2.2 Golgotha, the Mountain of Sacrifice.............................66
2.2.3 The Altar of Sacrifice......................................................68
2.3 The Rock Jacob Anointed........................................................71
2.3.1 The Path of the Mysteries..............................................72
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2.3.2 The Stone..........................................................................73
2.3.3 Anointed Stone Symbol of the Church........................74
2.4 The Rock upon Which Moses Sat..........................................77
2.4.1 Miracle by the Hidden Sign...........................................78
2.4.2 Victory by the Cross and Crucifixion...........................79
2.4.3 Victorious Cross Fixed on the Church.........................84
2.5 Conclusion................................................................................85
CHAPTER 3 THE CHURCH, FISHERMAN AND LIFE-GIVING
FISHNET.........................................................................................87
3.1 Jesus Christ, ṣayādā (͖ܳܳͮ͠ܨܰ) Par Excellence...............................89
3.1.1 The Magi...........................................................................90
3.1.2 The Samaritan Woman and the Samaritans................93
3.2 The Evil ṣayādā (͖ܳܳͮ͠ܨܰ)...............................................................104
3.2.1 The Man Possessed with Legion.................................105
3.2.2 The Sinful Woman........................................................113
3.3 The Church, Life-Giving Fishnet.........................................116
3.4 The Church, Fisher of Men...................................................118
3.4.1 Peter and the Disciples, Fishers of Men.....................119
3.4.2 Paul, Caught for the Service of the Gospel................131
3.5 Conclusion..............................................................................134
CHAPTER 4 THE CHURCH, GARDEN OF EDEN ON EARTH IN
WHOSE MIDST IS THE TREE OF LIFE................................137
4.1 The Vineyard, Fig Tree, and Olive Tree..............................137
4.1.1 The Church, Vineyard..................................................138
4.1.2 The Church, Fig Tree....................................................153
4.1.3 The Church, Olive Tree................................................156
4.2 Christ, Grape Cluster, Olive Tree, and Tree of Life..........159
4.2.1 Christ, Grape Cluster....................................................159
4.2.2 Christ, Olive Tree..........................................................166
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4.2.3 Christ, Tree of Life........................................................170
4.3 The Church, Garden of Eden on Earth...............................181
4.4 The Chariot in Ezekiel's Vision............................................187
4.5 The Key to the Garden of Eden............................................198
4.5.1 Transferral of the Key...................................................198
4.5.2 Peter, the Apostles, and the Key.................................205
4.5.3 The Church and the Key..............................................210
4.5.4 The Good Thief and the Key.......................................215
4.6 Conclusion..............................................................................219
CHAPTER 5 THE CHURCH, VIRGIN BRIDE OF CHRIST......................221
5.1 Israel, Repudiated Bride........................................................221
5.2 Water and the Church’s Betrothal.......................................240
5.2.1 Betrothal at the Well.....................................................241
5.2.2 Betrothal in the Jordan.................................................247
5.2.3 The Harlot Made a Virgin............................................265
5.3 Betrothal on the Cross...........................................................270
5.3.1 Jacob’s Dream at Bethel................................................270
5.3.2 The Betrothal of Jacob to Leah and Rachel................274
5.3.3 Samson and the Timnite Woman...............................289
5.4 Diametrical Responses..........................................................291
5.4.1 Israel’s Response...........................................................292
5.4.2 The Church’s Response................................................295
5.5 Indissoluble Unity..................................................................301
5.6 The Wedding Banquet...........................................................308
5.7 Conclusion..............................................................................314
CONCLUSION.......................................................................................................316
APPENDIX MIMRO 134: ON INQUIRY AND THE SANCTITY OF THE
CHURCH......................................................................................329
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ZUSAMMENFASSUNG DER WISSENSCHAFTLICHEN ABHANDLUNG
IN DEUTSCHER SPRACHE.....................................................383
BIBLIOGRAPHY....................................................................................................401
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Many have made this study possible by their support and
encouragement. My adviser, Prof. Dr. Peter Bruns, has accompanied me
throughout this research project. His guidance and insights were invaluable
to bring this work to fruition. To Prof. Dr. Sidney Griffith I also owe my
gratitude for having taught me Syriac and Christian Arabic literature, and for
serving as a reader.
In addition to the formal reading committee, I would like to thank
Domkapitular Paul Schmidt, the previous rector of Collegium Orientale,
Eichstätt, Germany, Dr. Oleksandr Petrynko, the current rector, for their
friendship, and for hosting and allowing me to use the Collegium’s resources
for research.
Dr. Boulos Feghali, my uncle, has challenged me, pushed me forward
every step of the way, and provided me with immeasurable advice. Dr. Seely
Beggiani, Dr. David Fisher, and Dr. William J. Prather have been instrumental
in editing this work. Their motivations, guidance, time and a keen eye for
details are much appreciated. I also wish to thank Robert Rapljenović and
Felix Rohr for editing the German summary of this work. Of course, any
mistakes remain my own.
I am indebted to His Excellency Robert Shaheen, Bishop Emeritus of
the Maronite Eparchy of our Lady of Lebanon of Los Angeles, and his
successor, His Excellency Bishop A. Elias Zaidan. They allowed me to leave
my pastoral duties at St. Rafka Maronite Church, Denver, CO, to pursue a
deeper knowledge of the Syriac Church Fathers. Furthermore, their financial
support helped me during these past few years.
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It is equally my privilege to acknowledge a friend who insists on being
anonymous, and Don Sawyer, pastor of Our Lady’s Maronite Church, Austin,
TX, for their encouragement and funding my educational aspirations. I will
never be capable of recompensing them for their generosity. A special thank
you is also due to Dr. David Fisher, then pastor of St. Anthony of Padua
Maronite Church, Cincinnati, OH, Fr. Elias Abi-Sarkis, pastor of St. Thérèse
de Lisieux Maronite Church, Tulsa, OK, and Chorbishop Sharbel Maroun,
pastor of St. Maron Maronite Church, Minneapolis, MN, for their monetary
gifts.
My gratitude goes likewise to Periodeut Peter Fahed, Rector of Our
Lady of Lebanon Maronite Seminary, Washington, D.C., and the seminarians
for their patience and urging me on during the final stages of writing.
Without the support of my family and friends, this work would have
never seen the light of day. Therefore, I would like to thank a former
parishioner who emboldened me to undertake this endeavor. My friend,
Rodrigue Constantin, has been the shoulder to lean on since we first met in
2002. The friends I met during my time in Germany, especially Petro and
Iryna Stanko, and their two daughters, Marjana and Anastasia, made my
sojourn in Germany wonderful. Last, but not least, I extend my gratitude to
my cousin, Dolly Saliba, and her husband, Raymond Saliba, and their
children, Grace, Aldo, and Alain, for welcoming me with open arms when my
plane first landed in Frankfurt, Germany. To all of you and those who remain
unmentioned, for they are too many to enumerate, I am thankful.
Finally, I am mostly indebted to my siblings, Joe, Silvie, Tony, Bakhos,
Zeina, and John, their spouses, and their children, for their blind and
unconditional support, encouragement, and love. To them and in memory of
our parents, Badih and Laurence, I dedicate this study.
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