Difference between revisions of "Talk:Apostles"

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According to some priests I've met, the epithet "Apostle to X" is not really an Orthodox epithet. Take for example Ss. Cyril and Methodius. In the West, they are regularly referred to as "Apostles to the Slavs", whereas in the East they are properly, "Equals to the Apostles." I think some priests in the DOS have been personally corrected on this by his emminence Dmitri. Although etymologically ''apostle'' and ''missionary'' are equivalent -- one is from Greek ''apostolos'' and the other from Latin ''missio'', both meaning to send -- in Orthodoxy it seems to me that ''apostle'' is restricted in practice to the Seventy, the Twelve, and Paul ("as one abnormally born"). --[[User:Basil|Basil]] 20:59, 27 Jan 2005 (CST)
 
According to some priests I've met, the epithet "Apostle to X" is not really an Orthodox epithet. Take for example Ss. Cyril and Methodius. In the West, they are regularly referred to as "Apostles to the Slavs", whereas in the East they are properly, "Equals to the Apostles." I think some priests in the DOS have been personally corrected on this by his emminence Dmitri. Although etymologically ''apostle'' and ''missionary'' are equivalent -- one is from Greek ''apostolos'' and the other from Latin ''missio'', both meaning to send -- in Orthodoxy it seems to me that ''apostle'' is restricted in practice to the Seventy, the Twelve, and Paul ("as one abnormally born"). --[[User:Basil|Basil]] 20:59, 27 Jan 2005 (CST)
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: I'd have to see the original language texts before I could judge whether "Apostle to X" is correct or not.  I've seen it used in English language Orthodox sources, though.  Equal-to-the-Apostles is Ισαποστολος in Greek -- that I know.  I'm not sure what's wrong with the expression "Apostle to X," though (even if it's a relatively new invention).  Anyone know whether that may perhaps be an ancient Western usage?  *shrug*
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: One data point is that the [http://www.orthodox.clara.net/staidan.htm troparion] in use by St. Aidan's Orthodox Church in Manchester, UK, refers to St. Aidan as "Apostle of the North."  So that's at least one liturgical reference I can think of right off.
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: The distinction seems to be the use of "Apostle" as a title vs. epithet.  I've never seen Aidan, for instance, called "Apostle Aidan." --[[User:ASDamick|Rdr. Andrew]] 21:13, 27 Jan 2005 (CST)

Revision as of 03:13, January 28, 2005

According to some priests I've met, the epithet "Apostle to X" is not really an Orthodox epithet. Take for example Ss. Cyril and Methodius. In the West, they are regularly referred to as "Apostles to the Slavs", whereas in the East they are properly, "Equals to the Apostles." I think some priests in the DOS have been personally corrected on this by his emminence Dmitri. Although etymologically apostle and missionary are equivalent -- one is from Greek apostolos and the other from Latin missio, both meaning to send -- in Orthodoxy it seems to me that apostle is restricted in practice to the Seventy, the Twelve, and Paul ("as one abnormally born"). --Basil 20:59, 27 Jan 2005 (CST)

I'd have to see the original language texts before I could judge whether "Apostle to X" is correct or not. I've seen it used in English language Orthodox sources, though. Equal-to-the-Apostles is Ισαποστολος in Greek -- that I know. I'm not sure what's wrong with the expression "Apostle to X," though (even if it's a relatively new invention). Anyone know whether that may perhaps be an ancient Western usage? *shrug*
One data point is that the troparion in use by St. Aidan's Orthodox Church in Manchester, UK, refers to St. Aidan as "Apostle of the North." So that's at least one liturgical reference I can think of right off.
The distinction seems to be the use of "Apostle" as a title vs. epithet. I've never seen Aidan, for instance, called "Apostle Aidan." --Rdr. Andrew 21:13, 27 Jan 2005 (CST)