MELITO OF SARDIS

On Pascha

With the Fragments of Melito and Other Material Related to the Quartodecimans: Translation

Translated, Introduced, and Annotated by

Alistair C. Stewart

st vladimir’s seminary press

yonkers, new york

2016

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Melito, Saint, Bishop of Sardis, active 2nd century, author. | Stewart, Alistair C. (Alistair Charles), 1960– author of introduction, annotator, translator.

Title: On Pascha : with the fragments of Melito and other material related to the Quartodecimans / translated, introduced, and annotated by Alistair C. Stewart

Other titles: Peri Pascha. Greek

Description: Second edition. | Yonkers, New York : St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 2017. | Series: Popular Patristics series ; Number 55 | In English and Classical Greek; English text of Melito is translated from Classical Greek. | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2016046622 (print) | LCCN 2016047379 (ebook) | ISBN 9780881415544 | ISBN 9780881415551

Subjects: LCSH: Jesus Christ--Passion--Sermons--Early works to 1800. | Bible. Gospels--Relation to the Old Testament. | Quartodecimans. | Sermons, Greek--Early works to 1800.

Classification: LCC BT430 .M413 2017 (print) | LCC BT430 (ebook) | DDC 252/.63—dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016046622

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isbn 978-088141-554-4 (paper)

isbn 978-088141-555-1 (electronic)

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st vladimir’s seminary press

Popular Patristics Series

Number 55

The Popular Patristics Series published by St Vladimir’s Seminary Press provides readable and accurate translations of a wide range of early Christian literature to a wide audience—students of Christian history to lay Christians reading for spiritual bene fit. Recognized scholars in their fields provide short but comprehensive and clear introductions to the material. The texts include classics of Christian literature, thematic volumes, collections of homilies, letters on spiritual counsel, and poetical works from a variety of geographical contexts and historical backgrounds. The mission of the series is to mine the riches of the early Church and to make these treasures available to all.

Series Editor

John Behr

Associate Editor

Augustine Casiday

for Alice

with love

Contents

preface to the first edition

preface to the second edition

introduction

Melito

On Pascha

Sardis

Melito the sophist

The Quartodeciman liturgy and Melito’s On Pascha

The Quartodeciman Pascha and the Jewish Pesah

Melito’s anti-Judaism

The theology of Melito

a) Melito’s doctrine of God in Christ

b) Eschatology

c) Typology

Conclusion: Melito’s liturgical theology

Further Reading

Editorial Note on the Greek Text

On Pascha

the fragments and other material

a) Fragment 1

b) Fragment 2

c) Fragment 3

d) Fragment 4

e) Fragment 5

f) Fragment 7

g) Fragment 8b

h) Fragments 9–11

i) Fragment 14

j) Fragment ...