Shem'on the graceful

Shem`on the Graceful, also known as Shem`on d-Taybutheh, was an East Syriac writer of the late 7th century AD.

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)