c. 815–877^851
Anastasius
-886
Ratherius of Verona
c. 890–974
Pope Sylvester II. (Gerbert)
-1003^852
Fulbert of Chartres
c. 950–1029
Peter Damiani
1007–1072
Bere§ 143. St. Maximus Confessor.
I. Maximus Confessor: Opera in Migne, Patrol. Gr. Tom. XC., XCI., reprint of ed. of Fr. Combefis,
Paris, 1673 (only the first two volumes ever appeared), with a few additional treatises from
other sources. There is need of a complete critical edition.
II. For his life and writings see his Acta in Migne, XC. col. 109–205; Vita Maximi (unknown
authorship) col. 67–110; Acta Sanctorum, under Aug. 13; Du Pin (Eng. transl., Lond. 1693 sqq.
), VI. 24–58; Ceillier (second ed., Paris, 1857 sqq. ), XI. 760–772.
III. For his relation to the Monotheletic controversy see C. W. Franz Walch: Historie der Kezerien,
etc., IX. 60–499, sqq.; Neander: III. 171 sqq.; this History, IV. 409, 496–498. On other aspects
see J. N. Huber: Die Philosophie der Kirchenväter. München, 1859. Josef Bach: Die
Dogmengeschichte des Mittelalters. Wien, 1873–75, 2 parts, I. l5–49. Cf. Weser: Maximi
Confesoris de incarnatione et deificatione doctrina. Berlin, 1869.As a sketch of St. Maximus Confessor (c. 580-Aug. 13, 662) has been elsewhere given,^853 it is
only necessary in this place to pass in review his literary activity, and state briefly his theological
position.
Notwithstanding his frequent changes of residence, Maximus is one of the most prolific
writers of the Greek Church, and by reason of his ability, stands in the front rank. Forty-eight of
his treatises have been printed, others exist in MS., and some are lost. By reason of his pregnant
and spiritual thoughts he has always been popular with his readers, notwithstanding his prolixity
and frequent obscurity of which even Photius and Scotus Erigena complain.
His Works may be divided into five classes.
I. Exegetical. A follower of the Alexandrian school, he does not so much analyze and expound as
allegorize, and make the text a starting point for theological digressions. He wrote (1) Questions
[and Answers] upon difficult Scripture passages,^854 sixty-five in number addressed to Thalassius,(^851) · See § 121, p. 528 sqq.
(^852) §§ 64 and 65, pp. 292 and 295.
(^853) See pp. 409, 496-498.
(^854) Migne, XC. col. 244-785.