Shem'on the graceful
From Encyclopedia of Syriac Literature
Shem`on the Graceful, also known as Shem`on d-Taybutheh, was an East Syriac writer of the late 7th century AD.[1]
Contents
Life
He first became famous as a medical doctor during the time of the Catholicos Hnanisho` (680-700). Then he became a monk, and a disciple of Rabban Shabur.
Works
A number of short writings survive, which have been translated into Italian. There are also extracts available in English translation. Among the topics that he covers are:
- the withdrawal of grace as a result of error
- the three noetic altars according to the teaching of the Fathers
- the faculties of the inner person and how they work
- different kinds of prayer
- the structure of the heart and its workings (containing a physical description as well)
He may be the author of the Book of Grace ascribed to Isaac the Syrian.
Bibliography
- Shem`on d-Taybutheh (selections): A. Mingana, Early Christian Mystics (1934).
- Italian translation by P. Bettiolo (1992)
References
- ↑ Sebastian Brock, A brief outline of Syriac literature, Moran Etho 9, p.55-6
