Session 4: The Life in Monasteries: Ascetics, Monks and Nuns
Saints and Holy (Wo)Men
in Byzantine Literature and Art
Dr. Christodoulos PAPAVARNAVAS
(Austrian Academy of Sciences)
©CHRISTODOULOS PAPAVARNAVAS
SAINTS AND HOLY (WO)MEN IN BYZANTINE LITERATURE AND ART
The Life in Monasteries: Ascetics, Monks and Nuns
Literary Analysis: the Life of Irene of Chrysobalanton (BHG 952), transl. by J.-Ο.
Rosenqvist
After reading the text, you should be able to discuss the following topics based on specific
passages from the text:
• Contextualization of the text: author; place, time and characters of the story
• Three phases in Irene’s life:
1. Secular life: the bride-show and the encounter with Ioannikios (p. 9-13). Why is this encounter of
great importance to Irene’s life and the rest of the narrative?
2. Monastic life (the life in the monastery): Irene as a nun and as an abbess:
 Irene’ s ascetic way of life, virtues and examples for imitation.
 What does distinguish Irene from the other nuns of the convent? (p. 15-19)
©CHRISTODOULOS PAPAVARNAVAS
SAINTS AND HOLY (WO)MEN IN BYZANTINE LITERATURE AND ART
The Life in Monasteries: Ascetics, Monks and Nuns
Literary Analysis: the Life of Irene of Chrysobalanton (BHG 952), transl. by J.-Ο.
Rosenqvist
• Three phases in Irene’s life: 2. Monastic life (continued):
 Recognition of the advanced spirituality of Irene: admiration by the abbess (p. 18-19); the spiritual
gift from God and her good reputation (p. 22-23); her teaching activity (p. 23); her succession as
abbess (p. 23-29)
 What is the meaning of the term “abbess’ double” introduced by S. Constantinou (see the relevant
book chapter, p. 157-161)?
 The acquisition of her new identity as an abbess: How is this presented in the text (p. 29-45 and 75-
81) and commented by S. Constantinou (p. 134-138 and 143-144)?
 Why do the demons call Irene “wooden/made of wood” (p. 45, see also Constantinou p. 140-143)?
What does this characterization mean?
©CHRISTODOULOS PAPAVARNAVAS
SAINTS AND HOLY (WO)MEN IN BYZANTINE LITERATURE AND ART
The Life in Monasteries: Ascetics, Monks and Nuns
Literary Analysis: the Life of Irene of Chrysobalanton (BHG 952), transl. by J.-Ο.
Rosenqvist
• Three phases in Irene’s life:
2. Monastic life (continued):
 Spiritual supremacy of Irene in relation to the worldly/political authority: the episode with Irene and
the emperor (p. 89-101)
3. Death and sanctification:
 The dead body of Irene as a relic (p. 105-113)
• What is the role of Irene’s body in her path to holiness? To answer this question, you should read the
chapter by S. Constantinou (p. 127-161).