Typologycal Allegory in the Characterisation of Saint Simeon

Nikolina  P. Havran

doi:10.21618/fil2430363h

Authors

Nikolina P. Havran University of Novi Sad Faculty of Philosophy

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21618/fil2430363h

Keywords:

typological allegory, Saint Simeon, hagiography, Sava Nemanjic, Stefan the First-Crowned, Domentian, Teodosije

Abstract

The present paper analyses the examples of typological allegory employed as a means of characterisation of Stefan Nemanja/Saint Simeon, the founder of the holy Nemanjic dynasty and its first saint, in the Serbian mediaeval hagiography literature of the 13th century – in the Hagiography of St. Simeon Nemanja by Sava Nemanjic; the Life of Saint Simeon by Stefan the FirstCrowned; Domentian’s the Life of Saint Sava and the Life of Saint Simeon; and the Life of Saint Sava by Teodosije the Hilandarian. The questions that the paper addresses include the degree of frequency of typological allegory used as a means of characterisation of Stefan Nemanja/Saint Simeon, determining its type, defining the scope of the field to which the concept of type refers to, and considering the motives behind its usage. The conducted research shows a high degree of frequency of typological allegory used in the process of characterisation of Stefan Nemanja/Saint Simeon, especially in Dоmentian’s corpus. The variety of types, which are related to the Old Testament (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob/Israel, Joseph, Noah, Moses, prophet Elijah, king David and king Solomon), the New Testament (Zechariah, Paul the Apostle and Jesus Christ) or more recent Christian history (the Holy Great-Martyr Demetrius the Myroblyte), also speaks of its degree of frequency. Stefan Nemanja/Saint Simeon’s personality traits and acts are often identified with those of biblical characters and Christian saints, i.e. with the events of holy Judeo-Christian history. The identification with the Old Testament prophets and patriarchs Abraham, Jacob, and Joseph is the most dominant. The choice is not haphazard: by taking the named Old Testament fathers as Simeon’s archetype, Serbian writers concentrate on the idea of predestination and God’s blessing, which are very important for portraying Nemanja (and his descendants on the throne) as an ideal Christian ruler, predetermined to govern the Serbian people and lead it on the path of salvation. Therefore, the motivation behind using typological allegory is very often political-ideological, which is not surprising in the case of mediaeval literature.

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