What did Pseudo-Dionysius believe?

According to pseudo-Dionysius, God is better characterized and approached by negations than by affirmations. All names and theological representations must be negated. According to pseudo-Dionysius, when all names are negated, “divine silence, darkness, and unknowing” will follow.

What is pseudo-Dionysius known for?

Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite, (flourished c. 500), probably a Syrian monk who, known only by his pseudonym, wrote a series of Greek treatises and letters for the purpose of uniting Neoplatonic philosophy with Christian theology and mystical experience.

When did pseudo-Dionysius live?

1. Dionysius: Persona. Though Pseudo-Dionysius lived in the late fifth and early sixth century C.E., his works were written as if they were composed by St. Dionysius the Areopagite, who was a member of the Athenian judicial council (known as ‘the Areopagus’) in the 1st century C.E. and who was converted by St.

What philosopher and theologian wrote about the Hierarchy or order of angels?

Dionysius
Dionysius is the author of three long treatises (The Divine Names, The Celestial Hierarchy, and The Ecclesiastical Hierarchy) one short treatise (The Mystical Theology) and ten letters expounding various aspects of Christian Philosophy from a mystical and Neoplatonic perspective.

What did Pseudo Dionysius say about mystical theology?

Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite’s apophaticism. Theoria is the main theme of Dionysius’ work called “The Mystical Theology”. In chapter 1, Dionysius says that God dwells in divine darkness i.e. God is unknowable through sense and reason. Therefore, a person must leave behind the activity of sense and reason and enter into spiritual union with God.

What did Pseudo Dionysius the Areopagite write about?

Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite’s apophaticism. Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite (5th to early 6th century; writing before 532), himself influenced by the Neoplatonic philosopher Proclus, had a strong impact on Christian thought and practice, both east and west. Theoria is the main theme of Dionysius’ work called “The Mystical Theology”.

Who was Dionysius in the time of Proclus?

But it has only become generally accepted in modern times that instead of being the disciple of St. Paul, Dionysius must have lived in the time of Proclus, most probably being a pupil of Proclus, perhaps of Syrian origin, who knew enough of Platonism and the Christian tradition to transform them both.

What are the five works attributed to Dionysius?

There are five works ascribed to Dionysius: The Divine Names, The Mystical Theology, The Celestial Hierarchy, The Ecclesiastical Hierarchy and his Epistles . All of these works are interrelated and, taken together, form a complex whole. Paul Rorem gives a very good overview of how these works unfold:

What is a Catholic mystic?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that: “Spiritual progress tends toward ever more intimate union with Christ. This union is called ‘mystical’ because it participates in the mystery of Christ through the sacraments — ‘the holy mysteries’ — and, in him, in the mystery of the Holy Trinity.

What does the name Dionysius mean?

In Greek Baby Names the meaning of the name Dionysius is: God of wine.

What did Pseudo-Dionysius inspire Abbot Suger to do?

What did Pseudo-Dionysius inspire Abbot Suger to do? a. adapt the concept of the church design.

Can anyone be a mystic?

Anyone can be an ordinary mystic. If you define religion as a strong sense of the divine, your daily mysticism contributes to that sense by drawing you out of yourself and into nature and then beyond.

Is mysticism in the Bible?

Christ-mysticism appears again in The Gospel According to John, particularly in the farewell discourse (chapters 14–16), where Jesus speaks of his impending death and of his return in the Spirit to unite himself with his followers.

What is a nickname for Dionysus?

Dionysus, also spelled Dionysos, also called Bacchus or (in Rome) Liber Pater, in Greco-Roman religion, a nature god of fruitfulness and vegetation, especially known as a god of wine and ecstasy.

Who is called Dionysius?

Dionysius The Areopagite, (flourished 1st century ad), biblical figure, converted by St. Paul at Athens (Acts 17:34), who acquired a notable posthumous reputation primarily through confusion with later Christians similarly named.

What did St.Dionysius do with his body?

St. Dionysius’ head rolled a rather long way until it came to the feet of Catula, a Christian. She honorably buried it along with his body. Four theological works are attributed to Dionysius: The Divine Names, The Mystical Theology, The Celestial Hierarchy, and The Ecclesiastical Hierarchy, as well as eleven letters.

How did Dionysus the Areopagite become a mystic?

Through spiritual union with God (theosis), the mystic is granted theoria and through this vision is ultimately given knowledge of God. In the tradition of Dionysus the Areopagite, theoria is the lifting up of the individual out of time, space and created being, while the Triune God reaches down, or descends, to the hesychast.

Why was the Eucharist important to the Dionysians?

It is the start of a new eon in human history. Through the Eucharist people experience the eternity of God who transcends time and space. The Dionysian writings and their mystical teaching were universally accepted throughout the East, amongst both Chalcedonians and non-Chalcedonians. St.