St Cyril of Alexandria and the Mysteries of Isis in De Adoratione

In his long, untranslated treatise De adoratione, Cyril of Alexandria interacts with the mysteries of Isis in two places. In one place he describes a ritual involving female initiates dressed in linen holding sistra and mirrors, and in another he describes the rotating of torches as a purification r...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Pietsch, Thomas (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Cambridge Univ. Press 2023
In: The journal of ecclesiastical history
Year: 2023, Volume: 74, Issue: 4, Pages: 703-719
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Cyrillus, Alexandrinus 380-444, De adoratione et cultu in spiritu et veritate / Isis worship / Mystery / Purity / Ritual
RelBib Classification:AG Religious life; material religion
BC Ancient Orient; religion
CC Christianity and Non-Christian religion; Inter-religious relations
KAB Church history 30-500; early Christianity
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Summary:In his long, untranslated treatise De adoratione, Cyril of Alexandria interacts with the mysteries of Isis in two places. In one place he describes a ritual involving female initiates dressed in linen holding sistra and mirrors, and in another he describes the rotating of torches as a purification ritual, albeit without naming Isis in either. These passages enrich our understanding of the mysteries of Isis, and of Cyril's engagement with the cult beyond his purported actions at Menouthis. The passages also suggest why and how Alexandrian Christians engaged in Isiac practices, and show Cyril the bishop constructing a pastoral response to these practices.
ISSN:1469-7637
Contains:Enthalten in: The journal of ecclesiastical history
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1017/S0022046923000593