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Some reflections on sacred biography
Hanlon, Christopher
Hanlon, Christopher
Author
Abstract
Any reflections on sacred biography would be incomplete without some reference to the miracles' of the saints. As the medieval period progressed, sacred biography became further enhanced by the adoption of new images of literary style and stereotypic forms. The writing of saints' lives has been part of the Christian tradition since its very beginning, with episodes found in the New Testament. At the same time, it is this feature that most distinguishes hagiography from secular biography. The purpose of sacred biography must be considered. Saints' lives are illustrations of holy men and women living the life of the Risen Jesus. It was based on the Martyrologium Hieronymianum of Carolingian times. In the years that followed the Council of Trent, post-Reformation Catholicism concentrated afresh upon the lives of the saints. As always, saints were seen as role models on whose lives individual Christians could base their own efforts to live a life in union with Jesus Christ.
Keywords
Humanities, Religion, Catholicism, Christianity
Date
2016
Type
Book chapter
Journal
Book
Reading and Writing History from Bruni to Windschuttle: Essays in Honour of Gary Ianziti
Volume
Issue
Page Range
143-160
Article Number
ACU Department
Collections
Relation URI
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
All rights reserved
File Access
Controlled
Notes
Copyright © 2014 Christian Thorsten Callisen.