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Types and Symbols of the Church in the Writings of Jacob of Sarug

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Types and Symbols of the Church in the Writings of Jacob of Sarug 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 ܝܗܘ̱ Εͮܐܕܺ ͔ͳͮܐܘܰ Α͚ͯܶ ܢͣͻܽ ܐ ͥܰ͠ 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 v 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 vi 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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