St. Basil as Doctrinal Authority and Spiritual Example for Theodoret of Cyrus

Pásztori-Kupán, István (2013) St. Basil as Doctrinal Authority and Spiritual Example for Theodoret of Cyrus. Studia Universitatis Babeș-Bolyai: Theologia Orthodoxa, 58 (1). pp. 125-134.

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Abstract

The present article proposes to investigate a few examples of doctrinal, terminological as well as spiritual links between St. Basil and the theologians of the Antiochene tradition, especially Diodore of Tarsus and Theodoret of Cyrus. Basil’s doctrinal authority for the Antiochenes of the fifth century is evinced e.g. by Theodoret’s reply to Cyril of Alexandria’s fifth anathema against Nestorius, where he refers explicitly to Basil, quoting him from his memory. Perhaps the greatest theological influence exercised by Basil over the Antiochenes was his highly accurate terminological distinction between the expressions applied in the treatment of the Trinitarian doctrine. Theodoret’s work Eranistes is a very good example of how the so-called Neo-Nicene refinements of the Cappadocians could settle the theological vocabulary troubled by the Arian controversy. Finally, Basil’s brave stance against Emperor Valens’ attempt to intimidate him and impose Arianism upon the communities belonging to his see becomes not only a past example to be followed, but viewed in the actual context of the historiographer (who had been exiled because of his resistance against Eutychianism) it becomes a source of consolation and inspiration for the wronged bishop of Cyrus.

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