Saint Maximus the Confessor (580–662) is one of the most significant figures in Christian theology and philosophy. His work, which bridged his time's doctrinal and philosophical currents, continues to influence Eastern Orthodox theology to this day. This study explores the significance of Saint Maximus’s dogmatic and polemical treatises, particularly focusing on their Georgian translations, their importance in studying Christian theology, and their potential for reconstructing the original Greek texts.
Saint Maximus’s role as a theologian and philosopher is foundational in the development of Christian thought. His writings address crucial theological debates of the time, particularly those concerning the nature of Christ and the human will. Maximus was a staunch defender of the doctrine of the Two Wills of Christ, which affirmed both the divine and human wills in the person of Jesus Christ. This theological insight would go on to play a significant role in the Christological controversies of the 7th and 8th centuries. His work blends Christian theology with elements of Neoplatonism, showing a deep engagement with both scriptural exegesis and philosophical reasoning. In this context, Maximus is not only a theologian but also a philosopher, whose intellectual endeavors shaped the theological direction of the early Church.
Maximus the Confessor’s dogmatic and polemical treatises are essential for understanding the development of Christian doctrine, particularly about the nature of Christ and the theological implications of human freedom. His works are deeply engaged with the Christological and theological disputes of his time, especially the controversy over the Monothelite heresy, which claimed that Christ had only one divine will. Maximus opposed this notion and asserted the existence of two wills in Christ—one divine and one human—thereby preserving the integrity of both Christ’s divinity and humanity.
The Georgian translations of Maximus’s treatises have a special place in the history of Christian literature. Georgian monastic scholars played a crucial role in preserving and transmitting theological works from the Greek-speaking world to the Caucasus region. The Georgian manuscripts of Maximus’s works are invaluable not only for their theological content but also for the linguistic and historical context they offer. These manuscripts provide a window into the reception of Byzantine theology in the Christian East, particularly in the Caucasus region, and offer unique insights into how early Christian theological debates were understood and interpreted in a non-Greek context. Additionally, the preservation of these texts in Georgian can help us better understand the role of the Georgian Church in the broader Christian theological tradition.
Gelatian translation of dogmatic-polemical treatises have come down to us in the only manuscript of the 12th century preserved in the Kutaisi State Historical Museum (K14). It is a compilation created at the Gelati School of Theology and Literature. It contains Georgian translations of the works of Maximus the Confessor, totaling 24 works, including the 10 dogmatic-polemical treatises. Maxim the Confessor authored 27 dogmatic-polemical works, yet only 10 of these treatises have been translated into Georgian. The Gelatian version of the polemical treatises is still unexplored and unpublished.
The patristic legacy of Maxim the Confessor garners significant international interest, with his theological-philosophical thought being studied in various scientific circles worldwide. Consequently, the research and publication of the Georgian (Gelatian) version of his dogmatic-polemical treatises directly address these international interests.
The Old Georgian translations of Saint Maximus’s writings play a crucial role in the reconstruction of the original Greek texts. Due to the loss of some of the Greek manuscripts over time, the Georgian translations provide a key resource for scholars seeking to restore the original text of Maximus’s treatises. These translations offer a form of textual witness that helps to fill in gaps in the Greek tradition, allowing scholars to recover parts of the original texts that may no longer be extant. Moreover, the translation process itself provides insight into how these theological works were understood in the Georgian cultural and linguistic context, further enriching the study of Maximus’s thought. The Georgian texts are therefore not only valuable in their own right but also as a tool for reconstructing the theological and philosophical heritage of early Christianity.
Saint Maximus the Confessor (580–662) is a key figure in Christian theology and philosophy, whose work continues to influence Eastern Orthodox thought. and contribute to reconstructing the original Greek texts. His writings, particularly on the nature of Christ and human will, address critical theological debates of his time. Maximus defended the doctrine of the Two Wills of Christ, asserting both a divine and human will, which played a significant role in the Christological controversies of the 7th and 8th centuries.
The Georgian translations of Maximus’s treatises are vital for preserving his ideas and understanding their influence in the Caucasus. These translations play a critical role in preserving his works. These translations, particularly those from the 12th-century Gelati manuscript, offer insights into the adaptation of Byzantine theology in the Christian East. They also serve as an essential resource for reconstructing lost parts of the original Greek texts.