The Exegesis of Ct 1:5-6 and the Theme of Epektasis in Gregory of Nyssa, with Specific Reference to the Role of Grace and Free Will
Abstract
As Moreschini rightly pointed out (Gregorio di Nissa, Omelie sul Cantico dei Cantici, a cura di C. Moreschini, Roma 1996, Intr. p. 9), Gregory of Nyssa’s Homilies on the Song of Songs «sono costruite sullo schema dell’epektasis», and it is no exaggeration to say that «esse vogliono rappresentare una serie di esperienze successive dell’anima la quale, dopo avere avuto un contatto, sia pure parziale, con lo sposo divino, approfondisce sempre di più il suo rapporto spirituale con lui». But above all about the exegesis of Ct. 1: 5-6 (I am dark, but lovely, You daughters of Jerusalem, Like Kedar’s tents, Like Solomon’s curtains. Don’t stare at me because I am dark, Because the sun has scorched me…) the epektasis is placed in a wide-ranging context and takes on a new meaning in a soteriological perspective.
Hence the purpose of the present study is to analyze specifically the Homilies 2 and 4, concerning the exegesis of Ct. 1: 5-6, and to focus on all the theological topics (the gratuity of grace, the free acceptance of the gift of grace) with which Nyssen, now at the end of life, attributed the spiritual progress of the soul to the saving action of God, in accordance with what he had claimed, many years earlier, in De virginitate 12 («In fact this likeness to the divine is not our work at all…; it is the great gift of God bestowed upon our nature at the very moment of our birth»).
Keywords:
Gregory of Nyssa, Homilies, Exegesis, Homilies on the Song of Songs, EpektasisReferences
Gregorius Nyssenus, In Canticum Canticorum Homiliae, ed. H. Langerbeck, GNO VI, Leiden 1960, tr. Gregorio di Nissa, Omelie sul Cantico dei Cantici, ed. C. Moreschini, Roma 1996.
Gregorius Nyssenus, De Anima et Resurrectione, ed. A. Spira, GNO 3/3, Leiden 2014.
Gregorius Nyssenus, Oratio Catechetica, ed. E. Mühlenberg, GNO 3/4, Leiden 1996.
Abel D.C., The Doctrine of Synergism in Gregory of Nyssa’s De instituto christiano, “Thomist” 45 (1981) p. 430-448. (Crossref)
Alexandre M., Protologie et eschatologie chez Grégoire de Nysse, “Studia Patristica Mediolanensia” 12 (1981) p. 122-169.
Alexopoulos T., Das unendliche Sichausstrecken (Epektasis) zum Guten bei Gregor von Nyssa und Plotin. Eine vergleichende Untersuchung, “Zeitschrift für Antikes Christentum” 10 (2007) p. 302-312. (Crossref)
Bergadá M.M., En torno a la antropología de Gregorio de Nyssa, “Patristica et Mediaevalia” 16 (1995) p. 67-72.
Bianchi U., Presupposti platonici e dualistici nell’antropogonia di Gregorio di Nissa, in: La doppia creazione dell’uomo negli alessandrini, nei cappadoci e nella gnosi, ed. U. Bianchi, Roma 1978, p. 83-116.
Bonato A., La conoscenza mistica nelle Omelie sul Cantico di Gregorio di Nissa, “Teologia” 30 (2005) p. 49-74.
Brugarolas M., Beauty and the Presence of God in the Soul: Gregory of Nyssa’s Commentary on Ct 5.2, in: The Beauty of God’s Presence in the Fathers of the Church. The Proceedings of the Eighth International Patristic Conference, Maynooth 2012, ed. J.E. Rutherford, Dublin 2014, p. 128-149.
Canévet M., La perception de la presence de Dieu. A propos d’une presence la XIe Homelie sur le Cantique des Cantiques, in: Epektasis, Mélange patristiques offerts au Cardinal Jean Daniélou, ed. J. Fontaine – C. Kannengiesser, Paris 1972, p. 443-454.
Corsini E., Plerome humain et plerome cosmique chez Gregoire de Nysse, in: Actes du colloque de Chevetogne, ed. M. Harl, Leiden 1971, p. 111-126.
Cortesi A., Le Omelie sul Cantico dei Cantici di Gregorio di Nissa. Proposta di un itinerario di vita battesimale, Studia Ephemeridis Augustinianum 70, Roma 2000.
Dal Toso G., La nozione di proairesis in Gregorio di Nissa. Analisi semiotico-linguistica e prospettive antropologiche, Patrologia. Beiträge zum Studium der Kirchenväter 5, Frankfurt am Main 1998.
Danieli M.I., Alle radici della lettura cristiana del Cantico: Origene, “Archivio Teologico Torinese” 15/1 (2009) p. 9-28.
Danieli M.I., Origene lettore del Cantico, “Nicolaus: Rivista di Teologia Ecumenica-Patristica” 35/2 (2008) p. 99-114.
Daniélou J., Platonisme et théologie mystique. Essai sur la doctrine spirituelle de saint Grégoire de Nysse, Paris 1954.
Di Stefano T., Dialettica d’immagine e libertà secondo Gregorio di Nissa, Collana di studi filosofici Università di Perugia, Perugia 1975.
Dünzl F., Gregor von Nyssa’s Homilien zum Canticum auf dem Hintergrund seiner Vita Moysis, “Vigiliae Christianae” 44 (1990) p. 371-381. (Crossref)
Eklund R., Blessed Are the Image-Bearers: Gregory of Nyssa and the Beatitudes, “Anglican Theological Review” 99/4 (2017) p. 729-740. (Crossref)
Ferro Garel G., Gregorio di Nissa. L’esperienza mistica, il simbolismo, il progresso spirituale, Torino 2004.
Gaith J., La conception de la liberté chez Grégoire de Nysse, Paris 1953.
Gargano G.I., La teoria di Gregorio di Nissa sul Cantico dei Cantici, Orientalia Christiana Analecta 216, Roma 1981.
Gargano I., Sull’apofatismo di Gregorio di Nissa, “Credere Oggi” 12 (1992) p. 61-71.
Gillet R., L’homme divinisateur cosmique dans la pensée de Saint Grégoire de Nysse, “Studia Patristica” 6 (1962) p. 62-83.
Gregory of Nyssa’s Mystical Eschatology, ed. G. Maspero – M. Brugarolas – I. Vigorelli, Studia Patristica 101, Leuven 2021.
Harrison V.E.F., Grace and Freedom according to Gregory of Nyssa, Lewiston – New York 1992.
Iozzia D., Il paradosso della bellezza divina: Gregorio di Nissa, In Cant VI, 191, 7-9, “Orpheus” 28 (2007) p. 100-115.
Izquierdo Urbina C., La simbologia ecclesial en las Homilias sobre el Cantar de los Cantares, de Gregorio de Nisa, “Anales de Teologia” 14 (2012) p. 99-111.
Karfíková L., Die Unendlichkeit Gottes und der unendliche Weg des Menschen nach Gregor von Nyssa, “Sacris Erudiri” 40 (2001) p. 47-81. (Crossref)
Lettieri G., Il corpo di Dio. La mistica erotica del “Cantico dei Cantici” dal “Vangelo di Giovanni” ad Agostino, in: Il Cantico dei Cantici nel Medioevo, ed. R.E. Guglielmetti, Firenze 2008, p. 3-90.
Lettieri G., Origene interprete del “Cantico dei Cantici”: la risoluzione mistica della metafisica valentiniana, Milano 2001.
Lettieri G., Progresso, in: Origene. Dizionario: la cultura, il pensiero, le opere, ed. A. Monaci Castagno, Roma 2000, p. 379-392.
Lévy A., Aux confins du créé et de l’incréé: les dimensions de l’épectase chez Grégoire de Nysse, “Revue des Sciences Philosophiques et Théologiques” 84 (2000) p. 247-274.
Lewis S.E., Contestation and Epektasis in the Discussion on Sin, “Analecta Hermeneutica” 4 (2012) p. 1-33.
Leys R., L’image de Dieu chez S. Grégoire de Nysse, Bruxelles 1951.
Limone V., Origene esegeta e predicatore: un confronto tra le “Omelie” e il “Commento al Cantico dei Cantici”, “Latinitas” 2/2 (2014) p. 25-42.
Maspero G., L’arché alla luce del telos e la struttura trinitaria del pensiero di Gregorio di Nissa, “Path” 8 (2009) p. 317-332.
Maspero G., Lo schema dell’Exitus-Reditus e l’Apocatastasi in Gregorio di Nissa, “Annales Theologici” 18 (2004) p. 85-110.
Mateo-Seco L.F., “La Cristología del In Canticum Canticorum de Gregorio de Nisa”, in: Studien zu Gregor von Nyssa und der christlichen Spätantike, ed. H.R. Drobner – C. Klock, Supplements to Vigiliae Christianae 12, Leiden – Boston 1990, p. 173-190. (Crossref)
Meis A. – Castellano A. – Pinilla J.F., El dinamismo del encuentro entre Dios y el hombre en los comentarios al Cantar de los Cantares de Orígenes, Gregorio de Nisa y Juan de la Cruz, Santiago 2000.
Meis A., Die Verborgenheit Gottes in den Kommentaren zum Hohenlied in Gregor von Nyssa und Dionysius Areopagita, “Ephemeridis Theologicae Lovainenses” 77 (2001) p. 73-107. (Crossref)
Meis A., La paradoja del hombre, según Gregorio de Nisa, “Teología” 31 (1994) p. 27-48.
Moraga Esquivel J.M., El misterio de Dios: su comunicación gratuita según In Canticum Canticorum de San Gregorio de Nisa, “Veritas. Revista de Filosofía y Teología” 16 (2007) p. 109-127.
Muckle J.T., The Doctrine of St. Gregory of Nyssa on Man as the Image of God, “Mediaeval Studies” 7 (1945) p. 55-84. (Crossref)
Mühlenburg E., Synergism in Gregory of Nyssa, “Zeitschrift für die Neutestamentliche Wissenschaft und die Kunde der Älteren Kirche” 68 (1977) p. 93-122. (Crossref)
Neil B., Divine Providence and Free Will in Gregory of Nyssa and His Theological Milieu, “Phronèma” 27 (2012) p. 35-51.
Norris R.A., Gregory of Nyssa: Homilies on the Song of Songs, Society of Biblical Literature, Atlanta 2012.
Norris R.A., The Soul Takes Flight: Gregory of Nyssa and the Songs of Songs, “Anglican Theological Review” 80 (1998) p. 517-532.
Petcu L., The Doctrine of Epektasis. One of the Major Contributions of Saint Gregory of Nyssa to the History of Thinking, “Revista Portuguesa de Filosofia” 73/2 (2017) p. 771-782. (Crossref)
Ramelli I., Apokatastasis and Epektasis in Cant. and Origen, in: Gregory of Nyssa: In Canticum Canticorum: Analytical and Supporting Studies. Proceedings of the 13th International Colloquium on Gregory of Nyssa (Rome, 17-20 September 2014), ed. G. Maspero – M. Brugarolas – I. Vigorelli, Supplements to Vigiliae Christianae 150, Leiden – Boston 2018, p. 312-339. (Crossref)
Robb-Dover K., Gregory of Nyssa’s Perpetual Progress, “Theology Today” 65 (2008) p. 213-225. (Crossref)
Rombs K., Gregory of Nyssa’s Doctrine of Epektasis: Some Logical Implications, “Studia Patristica” 37 (2001) p. 288-293.
Scott M.S.M., Shades of Grace: Origen and Gregory of Nyssa’s Soteriological Exegesis of the Black and Beautiful Bride in Song of Songs 1:5, “Theological Review” 99 (2006) p. 65-83. (Crossref)
Sferlea O., À Propos d’une Théologie de l’Incarnation du Dieu infini chez Grégoire de Nysse, “Ephemerides Theologicae Lovanienses” 90 (2014) p. 453-483.
Simonelli C., Conformati dalla grazia dello Spirito Santo (Gregorio di Nissa, In Cant VII), “Teologia” 1 (2005) p. 75-91.
Simonetti M., Gregorio di Nissa interprete del Cantico dei Cantici, in: Gregory of Nyssa: In Canticum Canticorum: Analytical and Supporting Studies. Proceedings of the 13th International Colloquium on Gregory of Nyssa (Rome, 17-20 September 2014), ed. G. Maspero – M. Brugarolas – I. Vigorelli, Supplements to Vigiliae Christianae 150, Leiden – Boston 2018, p. 137-154. (Crossref)
Steven L., Mixture, Beauty, and the Incarnation in Gregory’s In Canticum Canticorum, in: Gregory of Nyssa: In Canticum Canticorum: Analytical and Supporting Studies. Proceedings of the 13th International Colloquium on Gregory of Nyssa (Rome, 17-20 September 2014), ed. G. Maspero – M. Brugarolas – I. Vigorelli, Supplements to Vigiliae Christianae 150, Leiden – Boston 2018, p. 508-516. (Crossref)
Vanden Auweele B., L’Écriture sous le mode du désir. Réflexions sur le statut de l’Écriture dans les Homélies sur le Cantique des Cantiques, in: Grégoire de Nysse: la Bible dans la construction de son discours. Actes du colloque de Paris, 9-10 Février 2007, ed. M. Cassin – H. Grelier, Collection des Études Augustiniennes. Série Antiquité 184, Paris 2008, p. 275-283.
Vigorelli I., La relazione: Dio e l’uomo. Schesis e antropologia trinitaria in Gregorio di Nissa, Roma 2021.
Vigorelli I., Ontology and Existence: Schésis of the Soul in Gregory of Nyssa’s In Canticum canticorum, in: Gregory of Nyssa: In Canticum Canticorum: Analytical and Supporting Studies. Proceedings of the 13th International Colloquium on Gregory of Nyssa (Rome, 17-20 September 2014), ed. G. Maspero – M. Brugarolas – I. Vigorelli, Supplements to Vigiliae Christianae 150, Leiden – Boston 2018, p. 527-538. (Crossref)
Vives J., El pecado original en S. Gregorio de Nisa, “Estudios Ecclesiasticos” 45 (1970) p. 203-235.
Sapienza Università di Roma https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9893-7234
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Papers published in Vox Patrum are covered by the Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-ND 4.0) licence. Authors and users can use published works licensed under the CC-BY-ND since 2018. For earlier publications, copyrights are available under fair use rights in accordance with the Act of February 4, 1994 on copyrights and related rights.
