Theotecnus Liuiadensis
Standard abbreviation: Hom. Dorm. Vir.
Other titles: Arabic version attributed to Theophilus of Landra
Other designations: G8 and AB6 in van Esbroeck’s classification of Dormition traditions, G5 and AB9 in Mimouni’s
Clavis numbers: CANT 105, 146; ECCA 273
Category: Dormition Accounts
Related literature: Protevangelium of James
Compiled by Tony Burke, York University
Citing this resource (using Chicago Manual of Style): Burke, Tony. “Homily on the Dormition of the Virgin, by Theoteknos of Livias.” e-Clavis: Christian Apocrypha. Accessed DAY MONTH YEAR. https://www.nasscal.com/e-clavis-christian-apocrypha/homily-on-the-dormition-of-the-virgin-by-theoteknos-of-livias/.
Created October 2024.
1. SUMMARY
The homily by Theoteknos (7th cent.) is a mixture of both of the major dormition traditions: Palm and Bethlehem. It begins with the comment that Jesus, after his resurrection, summoned all of his apostles and disciples to journey through the clouds and gather by Mary’s body. She is to receive the palm of reward, Theoteknos writes, and be taken up to heaven. Some details from her early life are given based on the Protevangelium of James: her conception by Anna and Joachim and how she was raised in the temple. As for her adult life, mention is made only of her grief at the cross and joy at her son’s resurrection. She is likened to Enoch and Elijah, who were considered worthy of ascension to heaven, so Mary must be more worthy still. The entire heavenly court attended Mary’s funeral and she did not taste death; her body remained uncorrupted and was lifted up into heaven. This took place on 15 August.
Theoteknos then provides additional details about the funeral procession. Mary’s body was taken by the apostles, including Paul, from Mt Sion to Gethsemane. Along the way there was an attack on the bier by a group of Jews, who were struck blind. One of them was able to touch the bier, and for this his hands were cut from his body. Once restored, everyone became believers. At the tomb, Paul and Peter delivered speeches. Then with thunder and an earthquake, Mary’s body was taken into heaven where she interceded with God on behalf of humans. The homily segues into a criticism of Jews for their lack of belief in Jesus and his mother but they will see and be amazed when he returns on the clouds of heaven. Theoteknos concludes with a number of Old Testament testimonia that he applies to Mary.
Named Historical Figures and Characters: Aaron, Adam (patriarch), Anna (mother of Mary), Dimas/Dysmas/Demas (Good Thief), Elijah (prophet), Enoch (patriarch), Eve (matriarch), Gabriel (angel), Joichim, Mary (Virgin), Peter (apostle), Pontius Pilate.
Geographical Locations: Gethsemane, paradise, Sion, temple (Jerusalem).
2. RESOURCES
3. BIBLIOGRAPHY
3.1 Manuscripts and Editions
3.1.1 Arabic (CANT 146); Homily on the Assumption by Theophilus of Landra
Vatican, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Vat. ar. 698, fols. 41v–48v (14th cent.) ~ BAV
González Casado, Pilar. “Las relaciones lingüisticas entre el siriaco y el árabe en textos religiosos árabes cristianos. PhD diss., Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 2000 (text, pp. 316–25, Spanish translation, pp. 529–36).
3.1.2 Greek (CANT 105; BHG 1083n)
Princeton, Princeton University Library, Garrett 7, fol. 188v (13th/14th cent.) ~ fragmentary; Pinakes; Princeton
Sinai, Monē tēs Hagias Aikaterinēs, gr. 491, fols. 230–256 Wenger says 238-246 (8th/9th cent.) ~ Pinakes; LOC
Wenger, Antoine. L’Assomption de la T.S. Vierge dans la tradition byzantine du VIe au Xe siècle. Archives de l’Orient chrétien 5. Paris: Institut Français d’Études Byzantines, 1955 (pp. 271–91).
3.2 Modern Translations
3.2.1 English
Daley, Brian E., trans. On the Dormition of Mary: Early Patristic Homilies. Popular Patristics Series 18. Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir’s Press, 1998 (pp. 71–81).
3.2.2 Spanish
González Casado, Pilar. La dormición de la Virgen. Cinco relatos árabes. Madrid: Editorial Trotta, 2002 (translation of the Arabic text, pp. 133–41).
__________. “Las relaciones lingüisticas entre el siriaco y el árabe en textos religiosos árabes cristianos.” PhD diss., Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 2000 (text, pp. 316–25, Spanish translation, pp. 529–36).
3.3 General Works
3.3.1 Dormition Narratives
Esbroeck, Michel van. “Les textes litteraires sur l’Assomption avant le Xe siècle.” Pages 265–85 in Les actes apocryphes des apôtres. Edited by François Bovon. Publications de la faculte de theologie de l’Universite de Geneve 4. Geneva: Labor et Fides, 1981.
McNamara, Martin. “Transitus Mariae: General Introduction.” Pages 225–44 in Apocrypha Hiberniae II. Apocalyptica 2. Edited by Martin McNamara et al. CCSA 21. Turnhout: Brepols, 2019.
Mimouni, Simon. Dormition et assumption de Marie: Histoire des traditions anciennnes. Paris: Beauchesne, 1995.
__________. Les traditions anciennes sur la Dormition et l’Assomption de Marie: Études littéraires, historiques et doctrinales. Supplements to Vigiliae Christianae 104. Leiden: Brill, 2011.
Shoemaker, Stephen J. Ancient Traditions of the Virgin Mary’s Dormition and Assumption. Oxford Early Christian Studies. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002.
__________. Mary in Early Christian Faith and Devotion. New Haven: Yale University Press, 2016.
Wenger, Antoine. L’Assomption de la T.S. Vierge dans la tradition byzantine du VIe au Xe siècle. Études et documents. Archives de l’Orient chrétien 5. Paris: Institut français d’études byzantines, 1955.
3.3.2 Homily on the Dormition of the Virgin, by Theoteknos of Livias
Lantschoot, Arnold van. “L’Assomption de la Sainte Vierge chez les Coptes.” Gregorianum 27 (1946): 493–526 (discussion and extracts of the Arabic text, p. 513).
Shoemaker, Stephen J. Ancient Traditions of the Virgin Mary’s Dormition and Assumption. Oxford Early Christian Studies. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002 (pp. 65, 70).
Wenger, Antoine. L’Assomption de la T.S. Vierge dans la tradition byzantine du VIe au Xe siècle. Archives de l’Orient chrétien 5. Paris: Institut Français d’Études Byzantines, 1955 (discussion, pp. 268–71).
__________. “Aux origenes de la croyance en l’assomption l’homélie de Théoteknos de Livias en Palestine (fin du VIe–debut du VIIe siecles.” Pages 327–39 in vol. 4 of De primordiis cultus Mariani. 5 vols. Rome: Pontificia Academia Mariana Internationalis, 1970.