John of Damascus

John of Damascus
   Arab Christian born in Damascus (q.v.) who authored numerous works of theology, philosophy, polemics, history, hymns, and hagiography (qq.v.). Of particular importance is his The Source of Knowledge, which attempts a systematic study of all aspects of the Christian faith and dogma. For this he relied on the work of Theodoret of Cyrrhus (q.v.). Much later Thomas Aquinas (q.v.), the great 13th-century theologian of the Catholic church, used John's work as a model for his Summa Theologica. Also of importance is his development of the fundamental theory of icons (q.v.) and their proper veneration. Among John's other works are polemics against Iconoclasm (q.v.) as well as numerous sermons, vitae (q.v.) of saints, and hymns (q.v.). His brother was Kosmas the Hymnographer (q.v.). He died in 749 in the Lavra of St. Sabas (q.v.).

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  • John of Damascus — Chrysorrhoas redirects here. For the river, see Barada. Saint John of Damascus Saint John Damascene (arabic icon) Doctor of the Church Born …   Wikipedia

  • John of Damascus — (c. 675–c. 749)    Theologian, Poet and Saint.    Little is known of the life of John of Damascus. He served as chief representative of the Christians at the court of the Caliph of Damascus; he entered the monastery of St Sabas near Jerusalem and …   Who’s Who in Christianity

  • John of Damascus, Saint — or Saint John Damascene born с 675, Damascus died Dec. 4, 749, near Jerusalem; Western feast day December 4 Monk and theological doctor of the Greek and Latin churches. He spent his entire life under Muslim rule. As a writer of hymns and theology …   Universalium

  • John of Damascus — Saint, A.D. c675 749, priest, theologian, and scholar of the Eastern Church, born in Damascus. Also called Johannes Damascenus. * * * …   Universalium

  • John of Damascus — (Johannes Chrysorrhoas, St.) (c. 700, Damascus – 754, Jerusalem)    Composer of Byzantine kanones and traditionally credited with the sytematization of the oktoēchos and the improvement of musical notation …   Historical dictionary of sacred music

  • John of Damascus — Saint, A.D. c675 749, priest, theologian, and scholar of the Eastern Church, born in Damascus. Also called Johannes Damascenus …   Useful english dictionary

  • JOHN OF DAMASCUS — (675 749)    an ARAB CHRISTIAN theologian and earliest Christian commentator on ISLAM. His work deeply influenced GREEK ORTHODOXY as well as Western theologians such as Thomas AQUINAS. He was a strong defender of ICONS and the use of IMAGES as… …   Concise dictionary of Religion

  • John of Damascus — /ˈdəmæskəs/ (say duhmaskuhs) noun Saint, 675?–749, Syrian theologian; a leading figure in the defence of icons …  

  • John of Damascus, St. — …   Useful english dictionary

  • John Malalas — or Ioannes Malalas (or Malelas) (Greek: Ἰωάννης Μαλάλας) (c. 491 – 578) was a Greek chronicler from Antioch. Malalas is probably a Syriac word for rhetor , orator ; it is first applied to him by John of Damascus (the form Malelas is later, first… …   Wikipedia

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