Abstract: This paper presents the missing aspect of the theology of St Maximus the Greek that is organically connected with his biographical destiny. Especially are considered the circumstances of the second trial against St. Maximusthe Greek in 1531. The author focuses on the accusation of supposed heretical mistakes in his translation of the text “Тhe Hagiography of the Mother of God” from Menologion of Symeon Metaphrastos. Consequently it is provided the textual analyse of his selected works that show a significant attachment to the Holy Trinity with a special attention, dedicated also to veneration of Mother of God. Of particular interest here is the tradition of the Byzantine hymnography reflected in the works of St. Maximus the Greek, mainly in those that are defined as prayers, confessions and theological polemics that showed his prayer fully veneration of the Mother of God. Obviously, an Athonite monk understood the Mother of God as a part of the orthodox Holy Trinity, which he explained in his texts. He often supported his arguments for the holiness of the Mother of God with exegetic examples from the Holy Scripture. Indeed, the verses from the Byzantine hymnographical odes, dedicated to the Virgin Mary and which flourished in the Holy Vatopedi monastery, as well as in the Athonite period of the monk Maximus, present the essence of the works and personal theology of Maximus the Greek. Therefore, this unique monastic worldview, which combined very different sources of Christian knowledge (the Holy Scripture, hymnography, liturgy, patristic, iconography, and hagiography), was also marked by the special consideration of the Mother of God in Orthodox theology, which together make the theological system of Saint Maximus the Greek so original.

References:

The List of Manuscripts:

1 Paris. Bibliothèque Nationale: Mss. Slave 123.

2 Moscow. Russian Historical Museum. Psaltyr' with Commentaries. Mss. Schuk. 4.

3 St. Petersburg. National Library: Hagiografic Collection of Symeon Metaphrastos. Mss. Coll. Sof. 1498.

4 Moscow. Department of Manuscripts of the Russian State Library. The Works of St Maximos the Greek. Mss. Coll. Rum. No 264.

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