Dionysius the Areopagite (Teachings of the Orthodox Church)

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Don't be anxious for your life, what you will eat, nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they don't sow, they don't reap, they have no warehouse or barn, and God feeds them. How much more valuable are you than birds! Which of you by being anxious can add a cubit to his height? If then you aren't able to do even the least things, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow. They don't toil, neither do they spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if this is how God clothes the grass in the field, which today exists, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith? Don't seek what you will eat or what you will drink; neither be anxious. For the nations of the world seek after all of these things, but your Father knows that you need these things. But seek God's Kingdom, and all these things will be added to you.

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	Dionysius the Areopagite (Teachings of the Orthodox Church)

QUESTION:

A few months ago you answered my questions regarding our church's understanding of the "original sin", and I am really thankful for your help. Now I would like to ask you how does the Orthodox Church view the writings of Dionysius the (Pseudo) Areopagite.

I've noticed that all catholic and protestant authors believe that the writings once attributed to Dyonisus the Areopagite were actually written by a Syrian monk who was strongly influenced by a neo-Platonist philosopher.

In the same time I've noticed that some Orthodox websites talk about the same writings as if they are really written by Dyonisus the Areopagite. I would really appreciate if you could explain to me what is the Orthodox position regarding this issue.

ANSWER:

In Acts 17:34, Dionysius the Areopagite is identified as one of the few Athenians who converted to Christianity as a result of Saint Paul's preaching on the Areopagus.

The author to whom the works of Dionysius are ascribed is most likely a Syrian living at the end of the fifth and beginning of the sixth centuries who used Dionysius the Areopagite as a pseudonym for writing Mystical Theology, the Divine Names, and other works. While his writings are highly influenced by the Neoplatonism of his time, they are also influenced by Saint Clement of Alexandria, the Cappadocian Fathers, Origen, and others.

Little else by way of biography is known of the actual Syrian who wrote under this pseudonym.

Published in January 2011.

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