REMETE SZENT ANTAL KÜLÖNÖS EURÓPAI UTAZÁSA
SAINT ANTHONY THE ANCHORITE'S STRANGE JOURNEY IN EUROPE

Author(s): Mária Szikszai
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Ancient World
Published by: Scientia Kiadó
Keywords: Saint Anthony the Anchorite; translatio; relics of saints; the Orthodox Church; Érdy Codex;
Summary/Abstract: Translatio, meaning 'moving the relics of saints to another place and cutting them up into pieces for the purpose of their cult' was first permitted by the Orthodox Church. The cult of relics came to be admitted by the Western Church only later. Following the Barbarian invasions, the monks and priests contributed to the cult and traded with relics. This is how the relics of Saint Anthony the Anchorite (251─356) were found and moved first to Alexandria (in 532), and later to Constantinople (in 635). Finally they arrived in France at the end of the 11th century. The translation of these relics is related in a series of narratives. The so-called mystical legends tell us about the miraculous force of these relics. At the same time, they keep alive the belief in their miraculous attributes. The single Hungarian translation of the legend can be found in the Érdy Codex. The exact place where the genuine relic was found cannot be determined.

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