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3 - The Hagiography of the Fourth-Century Bishops of Cyprus

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 June 2025

Stephanos Efthymiadis
Affiliation:
Open University of Cyprus
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Summary

The hagiography of fourth-century bishops in Cyprus fits well into the literary tradition of lengthy texts. In honour of Theodotos of Kyrenia, bishop and martyr, five texts were written (BHG 2434–2438/9) from the ninth to the eleventh centuries. A rich hagiographical dossier applies also to St Spyridon of Trimithous. A lost metrical work is attributed to his disciple Triphyllios. Two later compositions, one now ascribed to Leontios of Neapolis (BHG 1648a) and the other by Theodoros of Paphos (BHG 1647), offer distinct perspectives on his miracles, episcopal activity, and posthumous cult. The discussion extends to the hagiographies of Sts Triphyllios and Tychon, exploring their roles in Christianizing Cyprus. Shifting focus to St Epiphanios, a four-part hagiographical text (BHG 596–599) raises suspicions of literary artifice on account of its potentially fictitious authors. The vita Epiphanii (VE) exhibits a simple style, incorporating verses and drawing from various hagiographical traditions. The Lives BHG 601b and 601a represent revised versions of the vita Epiphanii, condensing narrative details, emphasizing didactic elements, and introducing comments on Epiphanios’s virtues. The reworked biographies reflect later Byzantine rationalization and revival, and the saint’s universal recognition.

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The Hagiography of Byzantine Cyprus
Saints, Hagiographers and Texts (Fourth to Thirteenth Century)
, pp. 64 - 171
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2025

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