Florus of Lyon
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Florus of Lyon ( Latin : Florus Lugdunensis ), a deacon in Lyon , was an ecclesiastical writer in the first half of the ninth century. A theologian, canonist, liturgist, and poet, he ran the scriptorium at Lyons. He was considered one of the foremost authorities on theological questions among the clergy of the Frankish kingdom. He died about 860. [1]
Life
There is no information regarding the place of birth, the parents, or the youth of this distinguished theologian; but it is probable that he came from the neighbourhood of Lyons. He is mentioned in a letter by the Benedictine monk Walafrid Strabo , indicating that his writings were known beyond Lyons to southern Germany. From the fact that by about 827 he already enjoyed a reputation as a theologian, it may be concluded that he was born certainly before the end of the eighth century. [2]
He was a deacon of the church of Lyons, which office he continued to hold throughout his life. He had some acquaintance with Greek , which was rare in his time, and a little Hebrew . He was head of the cathedral school at Lyon, on which account he is commonly called "Florus Magister". [1]
Florus directed the Lyons scriptorium in which he produced editions of many texts. The transmission of some ancient texts is due to Florus: especially the Latin version (the only complete) of Irenæus ' Adversus Hæreses and excerpts from the lost work Contra Fabianum of Fulgentius of Ruspe . As one of the most brilliant spirits of his time, Florus composed impressive compilations of the Church Fathers on defined subjects ( Paul's epistles ). He was considered one of the foremost authorities on theological questions among the clergy of the Frankish kingdom; and, in consequence, his opinion was often sought in important ecclesiastical matters. [2]
Florus was also much involved in contemporary debates. He was a partisan of Archbishop Agobard of Lyon, who was deposed in 835 for his support of the rebellion against Emperor Louis the Pious, and replaced by Amalarius . In Agobard's defence, Florus wrote a short treatise on how bishops should be appointed; [3] he also attacked Amalarius on theological grounds, accusing him of heretical interpretation of the liturgy. Amalarius was deposed and accused of heresy in 838. [4] When he returned to Lyon, Agobard worked to roll back Amalarius' actions, with the support of Florus. [5]
Florus also used his remarkable knowledge of Augustine to contribute to the Predestination debates of the mid ninth century, in which he defended Gottschalk of Orbais . In the course of these debates, Florus was able to show the inauthenticity of several Pseudo-Augustinian texts.
Almost forgotten for a thousand years, Florus was rediscovered thanks in part to the works of Dom Célestin Charlier, O.S.B. , in the mid-twentieth century. Subsequent studies are beginning to provide the first critical editions of his works. [6]
References
-
1
2
History of the Christian Church
, Volume IV: Mediaeval Christianity. A.D. 590-1073, (Philip Schaff, ed.) 1910, Charles Scribner’s Sons
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
-
1
2
Kirsch, Johann Peter. "Florus." The Catholic Encyclopedia
Vol. 6. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1909. 10 January 2023
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
- ↑ West, Charles. "How to become bishop: ecclesiastical liberty in the ninth century", Turbulent Priests, Department of History, Sheffield
- ↑ McCracken, Early Medieval Theology , 330.
- ↑ Ginther, James R., Westminster Handbook to Medieval Theology , 9.
- ↑ Flori Lugdunensis Opera Omnia: Corpus Christianorum Continuatio Mediaeualis, Turnhout: Brepols, from 2002.
Sources
Klaus Zechiel-Eckes, Florus von Lyon als Kirchenpolitiker und Publizist (1999)
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the
public domain
:
Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "
Florus
".
Catholic Encyclopedia
. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
External links
- Friedrich Wilhelm Bautz (1990). "Florus von Lyon". In Bautz, Friedrich Wilhelm (ed.). Biographisch-Bibliographisches Kirchenlexikon (BBKL) (in German). Vol. 2. Hamm: Bautz. cols. 64–65. ISBN 3-88309-032-8 .
- Opera Omnia by Migne Patrologia Latina with analytical indexes
- 'Querela de divisione imperii post mortem Ludovici Pii' attributed to Florus of Lyon
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