The Presence of Patriarchs in the Canon of Saint Andrew of Crete: A Hymnographic Analysis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24193/ROOTS.2025.2.5Keywords:
St Andrew of Crete, the Great Canon, Patriarchs, Hymnographic exegesis, Liturgical literatureAbstract
This study examines the presence and theological significance of the Old Testament patriarchs in the Great Canon of Saint Andrew of Crete from the perspective of Byzantine hymnography. Employing a theological–literary and philological methodology, the research explores how the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are integrated into a theological discourse of profound moral and symbolic depth, becoming paradigms of repentance, faith, and obedience to God. Through scriptural analysis and comparative study of the original Greek text and its Romanian translation, the paper highlights the poetic and theological expression of the Canon, emphasizing the pedagogical and soteriological value of these biblical figures. From a hymnographic standpoint, the study analyzes the structure of the troparia, the relationship between versification and theological meaning, and the way in which Saint Andrew of Crete achieves a synthesis between the history of salvation and the personal call to metanoia.
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