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The Holy Spirit in the Syrian Baptismal Tradition

A sensitive and evocative treatment of the role of the Holy Spirit in worship. With a keen awareness of the tradition of Syrian Christianity, Brock begins his exploration with the role of the Holy Spirit in the Syriac Bible. A striking aspect of this tradition is the imagery used for the Spirit, including: compassionate mother, fire, olive oil, as well as the more common image of dove. Brock also summarizes commentaries and other literature on the baptismal rite, touching on Syriac literature and works translated from the Greek.
Publisher: Gorgias Press LLC
Availability: In stock
SKU (ISBN): 978-1-59333-844-2
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Publication Status: In Print
Publication Date: May 24,2013
Interior Color: Black
Trim Size: 6 x 9
Page Count: 216
Languages: English
ISBN: 978-1-59333-844-2
$137.00
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The Holy Spirit in the Syrian Baptismal Tradition is a sensitive and evocative treatment of an issue key to any liturgical tradition—that of the role of the Holy Spirit in worship. With a keen awareness of the tradition of Syrian Christianity, Brock begins his exploration with the concept of ruha d-qudsha and the role of the Holy Spirit in the Syriac Bible. A striking aspect of this ancient liturgical tradition is the imagery used for the Spirit, including that of a compassionate mother, fire, and olive oil (myron, used for anointing), as well as the more common image of a dove. Next, Brock considers the various sources of the imagery including the East Syrian/Chaldean; Syrian Orthodox and Catholic; Maronite and Melkite traditions. He also summarizes commentaries and other Syriac literature on the rite of baptism, touching on Syriac literature from Late Antiquity and works translated from the Greek that bear on the issue. Considering the vehicle and nature of the gifts of the Spirit, Brock provides the distinctive fullness of this concept for readers in these traditions. The study includes a discussion of the invocation over the water and oil, and their symbolism of the Spirit, as well as the Holy Spirit in the Eucharistic setting and in regard to the Virgin Mary. Baptism and Pentecost are compared, and the study concludes with the role of anointing in the post-baptismal life of the Christian.

Sebastian P. Brock is Emeritus Reader in Syriac Studies in Oxford University and Emeritus Fellow of Wolfson College, Oxford.

The Holy Spirit in the Syrian Baptismal Tradition is a sensitive and evocative treatment of an issue key to any liturgical tradition—that of the role of the Holy Spirit in worship. With a keen awareness of the tradition of Syrian Christianity, Brock begins his exploration with the concept of ruha d-qudsha and the role of the Holy Spirit in the Syriac Bible. A striking aspect of this ancient liturgical tradition is the imagery used for the Spirit, including that of a compassionate mother, fire, and olive oil (myron, used for anointing), as well as the more common image of a dove. Next, Brock considers the various sources of the imagery including the East Syrian/Chaldean; Syrian Orthodox and Catholic; Maronite and Melkite traditions. He also summarizes commentaries and other Syriac literature on the rite of baptism, touching on Syriac literature from Late Antiquity and works translated from the Greek that bear on the issue. Considering the vehicle and nature of the gifts of the Spirit, Brock provides the distinctive fullness of this concept for readers in these traditions. The study includes a discussion of the invocation over the water and oil, and their symbolism of the Spirit, as well as the Holy Spirit in the Eucharistic setting and in regard to the Virgin Mary. Baptism and Pentecost are compared, and the study concludes with the role of anointing in the post-baptismal life of the Christian.

Sebastian P. Brock is Emeritus Reader in Syriac Studies in Oxford University and Emeritus Fellow of Wolfson College, Oxford.

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ContributorBiography

SebastianBrock

Emeritus Reader in Syriac Studies, Oxford University, and Emeritus Fellow of Wolfson College, Oxford. Author of a number of contributions in the area of Syriac studies (including several books published by Gorgias Press).

  • Table of Contents (page 5)
  • Preface (page 9)
  • Abbreviations (page 11)
  • Method of Citation (page 13)
  • Introduction (page 15)
  • The Symbols of the Spirit (page 27)
  • The Sources (page 37)
  • The Gifts of the Spirit (page 61)
  • The Invocations to the Spirit (page 99)
  • The Holy Spirit and the Eucharist (page 151)
  • The Holy Spirit and Mary (page 165)
  • Baptism as Pentecost (page 171)
  • Appendix 1: The Transition to a Post-Baptismal Anointing in the Antiochene Rite (page 179)
  • Appendix 2: The Holy Spirit as Feminine in Early Syriac Literature (page 189)
  • Index of Biblical References (page 203)
  • Index of Syriac Passages Quoted in Translation (page 207)
  • Index of Persons, Places Select Terms (page 210)
  • Index of Modern Scholars (page 214)
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