Traces of Interpretations of the Concept of “Image and Likeness” by Bl. Theodoret of Cyrrhus in Treatises 252–253 Amphilochia of St. Photius, Patriarch of Constantinople

Abstract

The article examines the concept of “image and likeness” in treatises 252–253 of the compendium Amphilochia by St. Photius of Constantinople (9th c.), while also comparing it with questions 19 and 20 from the work Questions on the Octateuch by the outstanding Antiochian Christian thinker, theologian, and exegete Bl. Theodoret (386/93—са. 457). It was this work, specifically the Commentary on the Book of Genesis is the main source of reasoning in the aforementioned questions 252–253. This article will focus on the peculiarities of Patriarch Photius’ method of borrowing from questions 19 and 20 of the aforementioned work by Bl. Theodoret. An important aspect of this study is that it uses philological and theological analysis techniques. The main conclusion of this study is that St. Photius, following the Antiochian exegete, limited himself to the method of expansion or abridgement; to a certain extent, his text includes original thoughts and philological and stylistic corrections rather than theological arguments and assertions. At the same time, neither Bl. Theodoret nor Patriarch Photius make a clear distinction between image and likeness, and the “image” itself is identified not only with the capacity for reason and free will, but also with independence, creativity, supremacy, immortality, the incorporeality of the soul, etc.