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The Church’s Mystagogy

The Church’s Mystagogy

The full text of The Church’s Mystagogy is available in the translation of  G.C. Berthold, Maximus Confessor, Selected Writings, (ser. Classics of Western Spirituality, Paulist, 1985), to which the present translation is indebted.  Greek: Massimo Confessore. La mistagogia,   Altri Scritti, Testi Cristiani (Florence 1931) pp. 122-214 ed. R. Cantarella, 2892.97 key 2892 097

St. Maximos:  Mystagogy
Concerning the symbolism of certain rites performed in the worship [synaxis] of the Holy Church.

Tou Agiou Macimou Mustagwgia
  periě tou= tiżnwn su/mbola ta\ kata\ th\n a(giżan ąEkklhsiżan e)piě th=j suna/cewj telou/mena kaqesth/kv

 

CHAPTER 21

 Kefa/laion ka§

The significance of the conclusion of the mystical service [hierurgy]: [i.e.,] when these hymns are sung, “One is Holy, One is the Lord”, and so on.

 Tiż shmaiżnei to\ te/loj th=j mustikh=j i¸erourgiżaj tw˝n e)kfwnoume/nwn uŔmnwn, toute/stin "Eiâj aŔgioj, eiâj Ku/rioj," kaiě ta\ e(ch=j.
The acclamation at the end of the mystical service made by all the people: namely, “One is Holy ...”  ¸H de\ kata\ to\ te/loj th=j mustikh=j i¸erourgiżaj para\ panto\j tou= laou= ginome/nh tou= "Eiâj aŔgioj" kaiě tw˝n e(ch=j o(mologiża 
represents that in gathering and union transcending [all] reason and intellect [nous] that will take place between those who have been mystically and wisely initiated by God in the mysterious union [henosis] of the divine simplicity in the incorruptible age of the noetic world. th\n u(pe\r lo/gon kaiě nou=n pro\j to\ eÁn th=j qeiżaj a(plo/thtoj kru/fion genhsome/nhn tw˝n mustikw˝j te kaiě sofw˝j kata\ Qeo\n tetelesme/nwn sunagwgh/n te kaiě eŔnwsin dhloiÍ, e)n t%˝ a)fqa/rt% tw˝n nohtw˝n aiąw˝ni kaq' oÁn th=j a)fanou=j

 

 

      They see the light of the invisible and ineffable glory and together with the angels on high they become capable of receiving the blessed purity.   kaiě u(perarrh/tou do/chj to\ fw˝j e)nopteu/ontej th=j makariżaj meta\ tw˝n aĂnw duna/mewn, kaiě au)toiě dektikoiě giżgnontai kaqaro/thtoj:

     Afterwards, as the final conclusion, comes the distribution of the sacrament [mysterion] that transforms into itself those who worthily partake of it, making them similar to that good which is [their] source by means of grace and participation . 

meq' hŔn, w¨j te/loj pa/ntwn, h( tou= musthriżou meta/dosij giżnetai metapoiou=sa pro\j e(auth\n kaiě o(moiżouj t%˝ kat' aiątiżan a)gaq%˝ kata\ xa/rin kaiě me/qecin a)pofaiżnousa tou\j a)ciżwj metalamba/nontaj, 
    They lack nothing of this good that is possible and can be attained by human beings.  Therefore they also are and can be called gods by adoption through grace because all of God entirely fills them and leaves no part of them empty of his presence. e)n mhdeniě au)tou= leipome/nouj, kata\ to\ e)fikto\n a)nqrwŻpoij kaiě e)ndexo/menon. ŕWste kaiě au)tou\j du/nasqai eiĺnaiż te kaiě kaleiÍsqai qe/sei kata\ th\n xa/rin qeou/j, dia\ to\n au)tou\j oŔlwj plhrwŻsanta oŔlon Qeo\n kaiě mhde\n au)tw˝n th=j au)tou= parousiżaj keno\n kataleiżyanta.

 

 

 

CHAPTER 24

  [...] To make it easier to remember, if you wish, let us recapitulate the meaning of what has been said by running over it briefly.

Dia\ de\ to\ eu)mnhmo/neuton, eią dokeiÍ, th\n tw˝n eiąrhme/nwn du/namin kat' e)pitomh\n e)pidramo/ntej, ouŔtw kefalaiwŻswmen
    The holy church is, as we have said, the sign [typos] and image [eikon] of God: for it is through [the Church] that he, in his infinite power and wisdom, brings an unmixed union into being, made up of the diverse essences of beings. ăEsti me\n ouĹn h( a(giża ąEkklhsiża tu/poj, w¨j eiărhtai, kaiě eiąkwÜn tou= me\n Qeou=, oŔti di' au)th=j e)rga/zetai kata\ th\n aĂpeiron au)tou= du/namin kaiě sofiżan periě ta\j diafo/rouj tw˝n oĂntwn ou)siżaj a)su/gxuton eŔnwsin,
As creator he unites them to himself in their highest [attainment]:   w¨j dhmiourgo\j kat' aĂkron e(aut%˝ sune/xwn
And so for all the faithful, the grace and calling of faith joins each one to the other in a single form:  kaiě kata\ miżan th=j piżstewj kaiě xa/rin kaiě klh=sin tou\j pistou\j a)llh/loij e(noeidw˝j suna/ptousa, 
Those who practice asceticism and virtue are brought into a single identity of will  - an unbreakable and indivisible concord - with the contemplatives who seek knowledge:  tou\j de\ praktikou\j kaiě e)nare/touj, kata\ miżan gnwŻmhj tau)to/thta, tou\j de\ qewrhtikou\j kaiě gnwstikou\j pro\j tou/toij kaiě kaq' o(mo/noian a)rragh= kaiě a)diaiżreton.

   It is a sign [typos] of both the noetic and sensible worlds, the sanctuary symbolizing the intelligible world, and the nave [signifying] the world of sense.

 Tou= de\ ko/smou, tou= te nohtou= kaiě tou= aiąsqhtou= tu/poj e)stiżn, w¨j tou= <me\n> nohtou= ko/smou to\ i¸erateiÍon su/mbolon eĂxousa, tou= aiąsqhtou= de/, to\n nao/n.

 

 

It is also an image of the human [person]: the sanctuary reminds one of the soul; while and the nave suggests the body.  ąAnqrwŻpou de\ pa/lin eiąkwŻn e)stin, w¨j th\n yuxh\n dia\ tou= i¸erateiżou mimoume/nh, to\ de\ sw˝ma dia\ tou= naou= proballome/nh.
And [the church] is also a sign [typos] and image of the soul considered in itself: for in the sanctuary it bears the glory of the contemplative element; while in the nave it possesses the orderly behavior of the active part.   Au)th=j de\ th=j yuxh=j kaq' e(auth\n nooume/nhj tu/poj e)stiě kaiě eiąkwŻn, w¨j tou= <me\n> qewrhtikou= dia\ tou= i¸erateiżou fe/rousa to\ e)piżdocon, tou= de\ praktikou= dia\ tou= naou= ko/smion eĂxousa. 

 

 

 

The first entrance during the [eucharistic] celebration [synaxis]   signifies (broadly-speaking) the first appearance of [Christ] our God, and especially the conversion of those who are led by him and with him:  Th=j de\ teloume/nhj e)n au)tv= a(giżaj suna/cewj h( me\n prwŻth eiăsodoj genikw˝j me\n dhloiÍ th\n prwŻthn tou= Qeou= h(mw˝n parousiżan, iądikw˝j de\ th\n di' au)tou= kaiě su\n au)t%˝ 

[1] from unbelief to faith, and 

[2] from vice to virtue, and

[3] from ignorance to knowledge.

tw˝n e)c a)pistiżaj eiąj piżstin
kaiě a)po\ kakiżaj eiąj a)reth\n
kaiě a)po\ a)gnwsiżaj eiąj gnw˝sin eiąsagome/nwn e)pistrofh/n.
The readings that take place next signify (broadly-speaking) the divine wishes and intentions by which everyone should be instructed and which they should implement, especially[the following].  Ta\ de\ gino/mena met' au)th\n a)nagnwŻsmata genikw˝j me\n ta\ qeiÍa qelh/mata/ te kaiě boulh/mata, kaq' aÁ xrh\ tou\j pa/ntaj paideu/esqaiż te kaiě politeu/esqai, mhnu/ei:

[1] In regard to believers: their teaching and progress according to faith;

  iądikw˝j de\ th\n kata\ th\n piżstin didaskaliżan kaiě prokoph\n tw˝n pisteusa/ntwn, 

[2] In regard to those who practice [asceticism]: their firm disposition towards virtue; by submitting themselves to the divine law of the commandments they establish themselves bravely and unshakenly against the devil’s tactics and escape his contrary works.

kaiě tw˝n praktikw˝n th\n kat' a)reth\n pagiżan dia/qesin, kaq' hÁn t%˝ qeiż% no/m% stoixou=ntej tw˝n e)ntolw˝n a)ndrikw˝j te kaiě a)klonh/twj iŕstantai pro\j ta\j meqodeiżaj tou= diabo/lou, kaiě ta\j a)ntikeime/naj e)nergeiżaj diadidra/skousi,

[3] In regard those who [seek spiritual] knowledge through contemplation: [the readings] signify they are borne unwaveringly to the truth [by] gathering together as far as possible the spiritual meanings [logoi] of sensible realities and of the Providence that concerns them,

kaiě tw˝n gnwstikw˝n th\n kata\ qewriżan eŔcin, kaq' hÁn tou\j tw˝n aiąsqhtw˝n kaiě th=j e)p' au)toiÍj pronoiżaj pneumatikou\j kata\ du/namin sullego/menoi lo/gouj, a)planw˝j pro\j th\n a)lh/qeian fe/rontai.

 



 

The divine melodies of the chants indicate the divine pleasure and delight which comes takes place in the souls of all.  Ta\ de\ qeiÍa tw˝n #)sma/twn meliżsmata th\n e)gginome/nhn taiÍj a(pa/ntwn yuxaiÍj qeiżan h(donh\n kaiě terpno/thta,

By means of [these chants] they are mystically strengthened: they forget past labors for virtue and are  renewed in eager desire for the divine and pure benefits yet to be achieved.

 kaq' hÁn mustikw˝j r(wnnu/menai tw˝n me\n parelqo/ntwn th=j a)reth=j e)pilanqa/nontai po/nwn, pro\j de\ th\n tw˝n leipome/nwn qeiżwn kaiě a)khra/twn a)gaqw˝n nea/zousi euĂtonon eĂfesin.

 

The holy Gospel is (broadly- speaking) a symbol of the fulfillment of this [present] age.   To\ de\ aŔgion Eu)agge/lion genikw˝j me\n su/mbolo/n e)sti th=j sunteleiżaj tou= aiąw˝noj tou/tou, 
More specifically: iądikw˝j de\

[1] In regard to believers it indicates the complete disappearance of the primordial deception;

tw˝n me\n pisteusa/ntwn dhloiÍ to\n pantelh= th=j a)rxaiżaj pla/nhj a)fanismo/n, 

[2] In regard to those who practice [asceticism], the mortification and consumation of law and reasoning according to the flesh 

tw˝n de\ praktikw˝n th\n ne/krwsin kaiě sunte/leian tou= kata\ sa/rka no/mou te kaiě fronh/matoj,

[3] In regard to those who [persue spiritual] knowledge, the gathering and ascent toward the most comprehensive [inner-]meaning [logos] from the many and varied [inner-]meanings [logoi], once the most detailed and varied natural contemplation has been attained and transcended.

tw˝n de\ gnwstikw˝n th\n pro\j to\n sunektikwŻtaton lo/gon tw˝n pollw˝n kaiě diafo/rwn lo/gwn sunagwgh/n te kaiě a)nafora/n, suntelesqeiżshj au)toiÍj kaiě peratwqeiżshj th=j diecodikwte/raj kaiě poikilote/raj fusikh=j qewriżaj.

 

The descent of the high priest [i.e. bishop] from the throne and the dismissal of the catechumens signifies (broadly-speaking) the second coming of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ from heaven, together with the separation of sinners from the saints and the just retribution rendered worthily to each.  ¸H de\ tou= a)rxiere/wj a)po\ tou= qro/nou kata/basij kaiě h( tw˝n kathxoume/nwn e)kbolh\ genikw˝j me\n shmaiżnei th\n a)p' ou)ranou= deute/ran tou= mega/lou Qeou= kaiě Swth=roj h(mw˝n ąIhsou= Xristou= parousiżan kaiě to\n a)po\ tw˝n a(giżwn a)forismo\n tw˝n a(martolw˝n kaiě th\n dikaiżan pro\j th\n e(ka/stou a)ciżan a)moibh/n,
More specifically: iądikw˝j de/, 

[1] In regard to believers it means the perfect assurance in faith  produced by the Word of God which is invisibly present to them; every [tempting-]thought [logismos] that somehow still staggers in regard to faith is thereby dismissed from them like the catechumens. 

 th\n teleiżan e)n piżstei tw˝n pisteusa/ntwn plhroforiżan, hÁn poieiÍ paragino/menoj a)ora/twj o( Qeo\j kaiě Lo/goj, di' hÂj pa=j eĂti kaq' o(tiou=n ska/zwn kata\ th\n piżstin logismo/j, kathxoume/nou tro/pon, au)tw˝n a)pelau/netai: 

[2] In regard to those who practice [asceticism], perfect dispassion [apatheia] serves as the means by which every passionate and unenlightened thought departs from the soul, 

tw˝n de\ praktikw˝n th\n teleiżan a)pa/qeian, di' hÂj pa=j e)mpaqh\j kaiě a)fwŻtistoj logismo\j th=j yuxh=j a)pogiżnetai:

[3] In regard to those who [pursue spiritual] knowledge, is suggests the comprehensive science of whatever is known, by means of which all images of material [things] are chased away from the soul.

 tw˝n de\ gnwstikw˝n th\n sunektikh\n e)pisth/mhn tw˝n e)pegnwsme/nwn, di' hÂj pa=sai tw˝n u(likw˝n ai¸ eiąko/nej th=j yuxh=j e)kdiwŻkontai.

 

The ceaseless and consecrating doxology of the holy angels in their “Holy, holy, holy” signifies, (broadly-speaking), that equality of lifestyle, conduct and harmony in rendering divine praise that will characterize both heavenly and earthly powers in the age to come  ¸H de\ tou= Trisagiżou aĂpaustoj tw˝n a(giżwn a)gge/lwn a(giastikh\ docologiża genikw˝j me\n shmaiżnei th\n aŔma te kaiě e)n tau)t%˝ genhsome/nhn kata\ to\n aiąw˝na to\n me/llonta tw˝n ou)raniżwn kaiě e)pigeiżwn duna/mewn iăshn kaiě politeiżan kaiě a)gwgh\n kaiě sumfwniżan th=j qeiżaj docologiżaj,
Then the human body rendered immortal by resurrection will no longer weigh down the soul by corruption, nor will it be weighed down; instead, through transformation into incorruption it will take on the power and capacity to receive God’s advent.   a)qanatisqe/ntoj toiÍj a)nqrwŻpoij tou= swŻmatoj dia\ th=j a)nasta/sewj kaiě mhke/ti barou=ntoj th\n yuxh\n tv= fqor#= kaiě baroume/nou, a)lla\ dia\ th=j eiąj a)fqarsiżan a)llagh=j pro\j u(podoxh\n parousiżaj Qeou= labo/ntoj kaiě du/namin kaiě e)pithdeio/thta: 
   More specifically: iądikw˝j de\ 

[1] for believers it signifies  theological competition with the angels in regard to faith; 

 tw˝n me\n pistw˝n th\n pro\j a)gge/louj kata\ th\n piżstin qeologikh\n aŔmillan, 

[2] for those who practice [asceticism] it is the splendor of life equal to the angels insofar as this is possible for human beings, and [well-tuned] vigor in theological hymnody; 

tw˝n de\ praktikw˝n th\n iąsa/ggelon, w¨j e)fikto\n a)nqrwŻpoij, kata\ to\n biżon lampro/thta kaiě th\n eu)toniżan th=j qeologikh=j u(mnologiżaj, 

[3] In regard to those who [pursue spiritual] knowledge, endless thoughts, hymns, and movements concerning the Godhead which are equal to the angels, so far as humanly possible.

tw˝n de\ gnwstikw˝n ta\j iąsagge/louj kata\ to\ dunato\n a)nqrwŻpoij periě qeo/thtoj noh/seij te kaiě u(mnh/seij kaiě a)eikinhsiżaj.

 

 

 

The blessed invocation [epiklesis] of [our] great God and Father and the proclamation “One is holy ...” and the partaking of the holy and life-giving mysteries - these ¸H de\ makariża tou= mega/lou Qeou= kaiě Patro\j e)piżklhsij kaiě h( tou= "Eiâj aŔgioj" kaiě tw˝n e(ch=j e)kfwŻnhsij kaiě h( tw˝n a(giżwn kaiě zwopoiw˝n musthriżwn meta/lhyij,
signify that adoption, union, familiarity, likeness to God and deification that will come in every way to all the worthy through the goodness of our God. th\n e)piě pa=si kaiě e)piě pa/ntwn tw˝n a)ciżwn e)some/nhn dia\ th\n a)gaqo/thta tou= Qeou= u(mw˝n ui¸oqesiżan, eŔnwsiżn te kaiě oiąkeio/thta kaiě o(moio/thta qeiżan kaiě qe/wsin dhloiÍ:

By this means God himself will be “all in all” equally in [all] of the saved: as a pattern of beauty resplendent as a cause in those who are resplendent along with him in grace by virtue and knowledge.[...]

  di' hÂj pa/nta e)n pa=sin eĂstai toiÍj swzome/noij au)to\j o( Qeo\j o(moiżwj, w¨j ka/lloj a)rxe/tupon kat' aiątiżan e)mpre/pwn toiÍj au)t%˝ di' a)reth=j kaiě gnwŻsewj kata\ xa/rin o(moiżwj sumpre/pousi.

 

 

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