Saint Anatole
Évêque
en Syrie (3ème s.)
Originaire
d'Alexandrie en Égypte où il enseigna les sciences humaines et la philosophie.
Sacré évêque par Théoctecne de Césarée de Palestine. Alors qu'il se rendait au
concile d'Antioche, il passa par Laodicée où les chrétiens, dont l'évêque
venait de mourir, le retinrent. (source 'Catholicisme')
À Laodicée en Syrie, commémoraison de saint Anatole, évêque au IIIe
siècle, qui a laissé des écrits dignes d’être admirés non seulement par les
hommes pieux, mais aussi par les philosophes.
Martyrologe
romain
Saint Anatole de Laodicée
Évêque de Laodicée (Syrie)
Fête le 3 juillet
Alexandrie, Égypte – † v. 282
Autre mention : 2 juillet
Mathématicien et théologien de la Pâque, saint Anatole, originaire
d’Alexandrie, fut évêque de Laodicée de Syrie, actuelle Lattaquié, vers l’an
269. Une partie de ses traités sur l’arithmétique existe encore. Directeur de
l’école aristotélicienne d’Alexandrie, il excella comme philosophe et comme
mathématicien. Saint Jérôme fait l’éloge de ses ouvrages.
ANATOLE D'ALEXANDRIE, évêque de Laodicée en Syrie,
florissait sous les empereurs Carus et Probus. Il possédait d'immenses
connaissances en mathématiques, en astronomie , en grammaire, en rhétorique et
en dialectique. Son livre sur la Pâques et ses leçons d'arithmétique nous
donnent une idée de l'étendue de son génie.
Saint JÉRÔME. Tableau des
écrivains ecclésiastiques, ou Livre des hommes illustres.
Anatolius d'Alexandrie
ou Saint Anatole (deuxième moitié du IIIe
siècle ap. J.-C.), chrétien, out une grande réputation scientifique et occupa à
Alexandrie la
chaire de philosophie aristotélique.
Il y eut comme élève le païen Jamblique, et
s'y trouvait au moment du siège du Bruchium par Théodote, sous le règne de Gallien.
Un peu après, vers 270, il fut nommé évêque de Laodicée
de Syrie, en
remplacement d'Eusèbe. Il
mourut avant la persécution de Dioclétien (303).
Eusèbe (Hist. eccl., VII, 32), donne un extrait de ses
Règles pour la Pâque
et lui attribua de nombreux
écrits, notamment dix livres d'Introductions arithmétiques.
Ces livres, dont il nous reste de nombreux fragments dans les Théologoumènes
arithmétiques, paraissent avoir été une compilation des spéculations
mystiques
des pythagoriciens
sur les dix premiers nombres. D'autres fragments, sur les mathématiques
en général, provenant d'un autre ouvrage d'Anatolius, se trouvent dans une
compilation publiée, sous le titre : Anonymi varia collectiones,
par Hultsch dans son édition de Héron (Berlin, 1864). Aux fragments qui portent expressément le nom
d'Anatolius doivent être ajoutés la plupart de ceux de la même collection qui
ne sont pas tirés de Proclus
et notamment ceux que Hultsch a attribués à Geminos.
Le Comput pascal
d'Anatolius, que citent Bède
et Raban Maur,
existe en latin (ancienne version de Rufin) et a été édité par Gilles Boucher à
Anvers
, 1634. L'authenticité en a été
contestée. On a également mis en doute que l'Anatolius, maître de Jamblique (d'après
Eunape) et auteur des fragments des Théologoumènes, fût le même
que le chrétien, évêque de Laodicée. (Paul Tannery).
FRAGMENT
D'ANATOLIUS.
Anatolius d'Alexandrie
ou Saint Anatole (deuxième moitié du IIIe siècle après
J.-C.), chrétien, out une grande réputation scientifique et occupa à Alexandrie
la chaire de philosophie aristotélique. Il y eut comme élève le païen
Jamblique, et s'y trouvait au moment du siège du Bruchium par Théodote, sous le
règne de Gallien. Un peu après, vers 270, il fut nommé évêque de Laodicée de
Syrie, en remplacement d'Eusèbe. Il mourut avant la persécution de Dioclétien
(303).
Eusèbe (Hist. eccl.,
VII, 32), donne un extrait de ses Règles pour la Pâque et lui
attribua de nombreux écrits, notamment dix livres d'Introductions
arithmétiques. Ces livres, dont il nous reste de nombreux fragments dans les Théologoumènes arithmétiques, paraissent avoir été une compilation
des spéculations mystiques des pythagoriciens sur les dix premiers nombres.
D'autres fragments, sur les mathématiques en général, provenant d'un autre
ouvrage d'Anatolius, se trouvent dans une compilation publiée, sous le titre : Anonymi varia
collectiones, par Hultsch dans son
édition de Héron (Berlin, 1864). Aux fragments qui portent expressément le nom
d'Anatolius doivent être ajoutés la plupart de ceux de la même collection qui
ne sont pas tirés de Proclus et notamment ceux que Hultsch a attribués à Géminus.
Le Comput pascal
d'Anatolius, que citent Bède et Raban Maur, existe en latin (ancienne version
de Rufin) et a été édité par Gilles Boucher à Anvers, 1634. L'authenticité en a
été contestée. On a également mis en doute que l'Anatolius, maître de Jamblique
(d'après Eunape) et auteur des fragments des Théologoumènes, fût
le même que le chrétien, évêque de Laodicée. (Paul Tannery).
TEXTE
Qu'est-ce que les
mathématiques ?
Aristote, pensant que la
philosophie prise dans son ensemble embrasse la théorie et la pratique, et
divisant la pratique en morale et en politique, et la théorie en théologie, en
physique et en mathématiques, montre bien clairement et doctement que les
mathématiques font partie de la philosophie.
Les Chaldéens ont inventé
l'astronomie, tes Égyptiens la géométrie et l'arithmétique.
D'où les mathématiques ont-elles
tiré leur nom?
Les Péripatéticiens, déclarant
qu'on peut comprendre la rhétorique, la poétique et toute la musique vulgaire,
sans en avoir pris des leçons, mais qu'on ne peut acquérir la connaissance
d'aucun des objets nommés proprement, sans avoir pris d'abord-des
leçons sur ces objets, pensaient que pour cette raison la théorie de ces mêmes
objets avait reçu le nom de mathématiques. Mais on dit que ce nom
fut donné spécialement à la géométrie et à l'arithmétique seules par les
disciples de Pythagore. Car anciennement chacune de ces deux sciences était
nommée à part, et elles n'avaient point de nom commun. Or ils les nommèrent
ainsi, parce qu'ils y trouvèrent le caractère scientifique et l'aptitude à être
enseignées; car ils voyaient qu'elles roulaient sur des objets éternels,
immuables et purs de tout mélange, et ils pensaient que c'étaient là les seuls
objets où la science pût se rencontrer. Mais, à une époque plus récente, on a
donné à ce mot une plus grande extension, parce qu’on a pensé que le
mathématicien devait s’occuper, non seulement de la matière incorporelle et
idéale, mais encore de ce qui touche à la matière corporelle et sensible. En
effet, il doit être habile dans la théorie du mouvement des astres, de leurs
vitesses, de leurs grandeurs, de leurs figures et de leurs distances. Il doit,
en outre, savoir considérer les diverses modifications de la vue : il doit
savoir scruter les causes pour lesquelles les objets ne paraissent pas à toute
distance ce qu’ils sont, ni tels qu’ils sont en réalité, gardant, il est vrai,
leurs rapports mutuels, mais produisant de fausses apparences en ce qui
concerne leurs positions et leur ordre, soit dans le ciel et dans l’air, soit
dans les miroirs et dans toutes les surfaces polies, soit enfin dans ceux des
objets visibles qui sont transparents et dans tous les corps de cette nature.
On pensait, de plus, que le mathématicien devait être mécanicien et habile dans
la géodésie (géométrie pratique) et dans la logistique (arithmétique pratique), et qu’il devait aussi s'occuper des causes
de l'union mélodieuse des sons et de leur combinaison dans la mélodie. Or ces
objets sont corporels, ou du moins sont au dernier rang parmi ceux qui
s'élèvent au-dessus de la matière sensible.
Qu'est-ce que les mathématiques?
Les mathématiques sont la science
qui s'applique à la théorie des objets perceptibles à la fois par l'intellect
et par la sensation, de manière à pouvoir transmettre les notions relatives à
ces objets. Et quelqu'un a remarqué, avec non moins d'esprit que de justesse,
que c'est de la science mathématique qu'il convient de dire : « petite d'abord,
elle s'élance, et bientôt elle a dressé sa tête dans le ciel, tandis que ses
pieds foulent le sol. » En effet, les mathématiques partent du point et de la
ligne, mais elles embrassent l'étude du ciel, de la terre et de l'univers
entier.
Combien y a-t-il de parties des
mathématiques?
La branche la plus relevée et la
première des mathématiques se divise en deux parties principales :
l'arithmétique et la géométrie. Celle qui s'occupe des choses sensibles se
divise en six parties : la logistique (art du calcul arithmétique), la géodésie
(géométrie pratique), l'optique, la canonique (science du canon
musical, qui est le type des valeurs numériques des sons), la mécanique et
l'astronomie. Mais, ni ce qu'on nomme la tactique, ni l'art de l'architecte, ni
la musique vulgaire, ni l'étude des apparences visibles, ni la mécanique
(pratique) qui porte le même nom que la mécanique par excellence, ne sont,
comme quelques-uns le croient, des parties des mathématiques : c'est ce que
nous montrerons clairement et avec méthode dans la suite de cet ouvrage.
Le cercle a huit solides, six plans
et quatre angles.[1]
Quelles sont les parties des
mathématiques les plus rapprochées les unes des autres?
Ce qui se rapproche le
plus de l'arithmétique (théorique), ce sont la logistique (art du calcul) et la
canonique (calcul de la valeur numérique des sons musicaux); car
l'arithmétique, ayant pris pour unité une certaine quantité, procède suivant
les rapports, les nombres et les proportions. Ce qui se rapproche le plus de la
géométrie, ce sont l'optique et la géodésie. La mécanique et l'astronomie se
rapprochent beaucoup de l'arithmétique et de la géométrie à la fois.
Les mathématiques
tirent leurs principes de l'hypothèse et roulent sur l'hypothèse. Le mot hypothèse a trois significations ou
plus encore. Par exemple, on nomme hypothèse la péripétie
dramatique, et c'est ainsi qu'on dit les hypothèses (ou sujets) des drames d'Euripide. D'après une autre signification, on
nomme hypothèse la recherche des cas particuliers dans la
rhétorique, et c'est ainsi que les sophistes disent : il faut poser
une hypothèse (un fait particulier auquel la thèse générale s'applique).
Par une troisième variété de signification, on nomme hypothèse le
principe de la démonstration consistant en un postulatum d'où
l'on tire une conséquence : c'est ainsi qu'on dit que Démocrite prenait pour hypothèse les atomes et le vide, et Asclépiade les masses et les
pores. La science mathématique roule sur le troisième genre d’hypothèse.
Ce n'était pas
Pythagore seul qui honorait l'arithmétique ; ses familiers aussi l'honoraient,
en disant : « Tout est fait à l'image du nombre ».
L'arithmétique a pour
but et pour résultat principalement la théorie scientifique, but le plus grand
et le plus beau de tous, et, comme conséquence de ce premier résultat, elle
fait connaître collectivement les nombres des accidents de la substance finie.
A qui est due chaque
invention en mathématiques?[2]
Suivant ce qu'Eudème
raconte dans son ouvrage sur l'astronomie, Œnopide le premier découvrit la
ceinture du zodiaque et la période de la grande année (c'est-à-dire
du cycle luni-solaire). Thalès le premier sut en quoi consiste
l'éclipsé du soleil, et que la période qui ramène le soleil aux points
solsticiaux n'est pas toujours égale. Anaximandre le premier découvrit que la
terre est suspendue en l'air vers le centre du monde, et qu'elle s'agite dans
le voisinage de ce point (de manière à produire les tremblements de
terre. Anaximène découvrit que la lune tire sa lumière du soleil, et
comment elle s'éclipse. A ces découvertes, d'autres ajoutèrent les découvertes
suivantes : que les astres fixes exécutent leur révolution (diurne) autour de
l'axe immobile qui passe par les pôles (de l'équateur), mais que les planètes
exécutent leur révolutions (propres) autour de l’axe perpendiculaire au plan du zodiaque (c’est-à-dire de l’écliptique), et que
l’axe des astres fixes et l’axe des planètes sont éloignés l’un de l’autre d’un
côté du polygone (régulier) de quinze côtés (inscrit au cercle), c'est-à-dire
de vingt quatre degrés.
[1] Les huit solides engendres par le cercle sont sans doute le
cône, le cône tronqué, le cylindre à bases perpendiculaires sur l'axe, le
cylindre à bases obliques d'axe, la sphère, l'onglet sphérique, le segment
sphérique et le secteur sphérique. Les six plans engendrés par le cercle sont
sans doute le cercle, le demi-cercle, le segment déterminé par une seule corde
et plus grand que le demi-cercle, le segment déterminé par une seule corde et
plus petit que le demi-cercle, le segment compris entre deux cordes et le
secteur compris entre deux rayons. Les quatre angles à considérer dans le
cercle sont sans doute l'angle an centre, l'angle à la circonférence, l'angle
dont un des cotés est un diamètre et dont le sommet est en deçà du centre,
l'angle dont an des côtés est un diamètre et dont le sommet est au delà du
centre.
Anatolius of Alexandria B (RM)
Born in Alexandria, Egypt; died c. 283. Anatolius, one of the greatest scholars
of his age, headed the Aristotelian school at Alexandria. Fragments of the 10
volumes on mathematics that he wrote have come down to us, and he was also a
master of geometry, physics, rhetoric, dialectic, astronomy, and philosophy.
Hypercritical Saint Jerome commends his work, which should be considered high
praise indeed. Constantly seeking to improve his knowledge and understanding,
he turned his inquiring mind to every subject that came to hand, and not least
to the mysteries of God, without whom his studies and life would have been
meaningless. He viewed learning as a spiritual as well as an intellectual
discipline, for it taught honesty and respect for the truth, gave the student a
sense of the infinite magnitude of God's work, and filled the soul with
humility.
Despite his reputation as
the leading scholar of a town famed for its scholarship, Anatolius was never
conceited or arrogant. If he sometimes considered ignorance, particularly among
Christians, as almost a sin, he nevertheless showed a sincere friendship for
poor and uneducated people. Instead of snubbing them, he humbly set himself to
learn from them, for there was always something new to be learned, some truth
about man or nature.
As a scholar, and more
importantly as a Christian, he knew that no piece of God's handiwork should be
passed by with indifference. Though his reason and intellect were the principal
instruments he used in his search for truth, he also understood their
limitations when confronted with the wider mystery of God.
His intelligence and his
willingness to serve his fellow man led him to accept several important posts
in the administration of his city, which at the time was part of the Roman
Empire. It was thanks to him that in 263 a large number of its inhabitants was
saved from starvation. A few years earlier Emilian had seized power in
Alexandria and had himself proclaimed emperor, but a Roman army under
Theodosius was quickly dispatched against him. Theodosius laid siege to the
town, which was not expected to be able to hold out for long.
Making use of his
friendship with Eusebius, a deacon who later became bishop of Laodicea, and who
had accompanied the Roman army, Anatolius obtained permission for all the
women, children, old men and sick people to leave Alexandria. This proved to be
a tactical victory as well as an act of mercy. The besieged forces, relieved of
the burden of feeding useless mouths and of caring for those who could not bear
arms, were able to prolong their resistance.
Perhaps because he had dangerously
compromised himself in this affair, Anatolius then left Alexandria and went to
Caesarea in Palestine, where his fame had already preceded him. Theoctenes, the
bishop of Caesarea, esteemed him so highly that he consecrated him as his
successor and at once passed on to him a large part of his responsibilities.
In 268, they were both
summoned to the Council of Antioch, but as they were passing through Laodicea
they were politely but firmly stopped by the clergy and people. Eusebius, their
bishop, had just died and they saw Anatolius's sudden arrival as a gift from
God. Anatolius had no choice but to accept, and it was as bishop of Laedicea
that he died (Benedictines, Encyclopedia).
In art, Saint Anatolius is
portrayed as a bishop with globes and mathematical books (Roeder).
St. Anatolius
Bishop of Laodicea in Syria, one of the foremost scholars of his day in the physical
sciences and in Aristotelean philosophy. There are fragments of ten books on arithmetic
written by him, and also a treatise on the time of the Paschal
celebration. A very curious story is told by Eusebius of the way in which Anatolius
broke up a rebellion in a part of Alexandria
known as time Bruchium.
It was held by the forces of Zenobia,
and being strictly beleaguered by the Romans
was in a state of starvation. The saint,
who was living in the Bruchium
at the time, made arrangements with the besiegers to receive all the women and children, as well as the old and infirm,
continuing at the same time to let as many as wished profit by the means of
escaping. It broke up the defence and the rebels surrendered. It was a patriotic action
on the part of the saint, as well as one of great benevolence, in saving
so many innocent victims from death. In going to Laodicea
he was seized by the people and made bishop. Whether his friend Eusebius had died, or whether they both occupied the see together, is a matter of much discussion. The
question is treated at length in the Bollandists. His feast, like that of his namesake the Patriarch of Constantinople,
is kept on 3 July.
Sources
Acta SS., I, July;
MICHAUD, Biog. Univ.; BARING-GOULD, Lives of the Saints (London,
1872).
Campbell, Thomas. "St. Anatolius." The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 1.
New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1907. 3 Jul. 2016
<http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01457c.htm>.
Transcription. This
article was transcribed for New Advent by W.S. French, Jr.
Ecclesiastical approbation. Nihil Obstat. March 1, 1907. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor. Imprimatur.
+John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York.
Saint Anatolius of
Alexandria
Also known as
- Anatolius of Laodicea
Profile
Noted scientist, philosopher, scholar, teacher, and writer. He wrote ten books
on mathematics alone, and Saint
Jerome praised his scholarship and writing. Head of the Aristotlean school in Alexandria, Egypt. However, he was known not just as a scholar but as a humble and deeply religious man. Ignorance
horrified him, and part of his work with the poor was to educate them. Held a number of government posts in Alexandria.
During a rebellion
against the Roman authorities in 263, the area of Alexandria was under seige, resulting in the starvation of both rebels and citizens who had nothing to do with
the uprising. Anatolius met with the Romans and negotiated the release of
non-combatant children, women, the sick, and the elderly, saving many, and earning him a reputation as a peacemaker. The rebels, freed of caring for the non-combatants, were
able to fight even longer. However, when they lost, Anatolius found himself
with enemies on each side of the conflict, and he decided to leave Alexandria.
Anatolius emigrated to Caesaria, Palestine. His reputation as a scholar and Christian had preceeded him, and he became assistant and advisor to
the bishop. In 268, while en route to the Council of Antioch, he
passed through Laodicea, Syria. Their bishop, Saint
Eusebius of Laodicea, had just died, they saw Anatolius’ arrival as a gift from God,
and insisted that he assume the bishopric. He accepted, and spent his remaining fifteen years there.
Born
- bishop with globes and mathematical books
Saint Anatolius of Laodicea
His Homegoing date was 283 A.D.
Bishop of Laodicea
in Syria, one of the foremost scholars of his day in the physical sciences and
in Aristotelean philosophy. There are fragments of ten books on arithmetic
written by him, and also a treatise on time of the Paschal celebration. A very
curious story is told by Eusebius of the way in which Anatolius broke up a
rebellion in a part of Alexandria known as the Bruchium. It was held by the
forces of Zenobia, and being strictly beleaguered by the Romans was in a state
of starvation. The saint, who was living in the Bruchium at the time, made arrangements
with the besiegers to receive all the women and children, as well as the old
and infirm, continuing at the same time to let as many as wished profit by the
means of escaping. It broke up the defence and the rebels surrendered. It was a
patriotic action on the part of the saint, as well as one of great benevolence,
in saving so many innocent victims from death. In going to Laodicea he was
seized by the people and made bishop. Whether his friend Eusebius had died, or
whether they both occupied the see together, is a matter of much discussion.
The question is treated at length in the Bollandists. His feast, like that of
his namesake the Patriarch of Constantinople, is kept on 3 July.
THE PASCHAL CANON OF ANATOLIUS OF LAODICEA
I
As we are about to
speak on the subject of the order of the times and alternations of the world,
we shall first dispose of the positions of diverse calculators; who, by
reckoning only by the course of the moon, and leaving out of account the ascent
and descent of the sun, with the addition of certain problems, have constructed
diverse periods,(2) self-contradictory, and such as are never found in the
reckoning of a true computation; since it is certain that no mode of
computation is to be approved, in which these two measures are not found
together. For even in the ancient exemplars, that is, in the books of the
Hebrews and Greeks, we find not only the course of the moon, but also that of
the sun, and, indeed, not simply its course in the general,(3) but even the
separate and minutest moments of its hours all calculated, as we shall show at
the proper time, when the matter in hand demands it. Of these Hippolytus made
up a period of sixteen years with certain unknown courses of the moon. Others
have reckoned by a period of twenty-five years, others by thirty, and some by
eighty-four years, without, however, teaching thereby an exact method of
calculating Easter. But our predecessors, men most learned in the books of the
Hebrews and Greeks,-I mean Isidore and Jerome and Clement,-although they have
noted similar beginnings for the months just as they differ also in language,
have, nevertheless, come harmoniously to one and the same most exact reckoning
of Easter, day and month and season meeting in accord with the highest honour
for the Lord's resurrection.(4) But Origen also, the most erudite of all, and
the acutest in making calculations,-a man, too, to whom the epithet
<greek>kalkenths</greek>(5) is given,-has published in a very
elegant manner a little book on Easter. And in this book, while declaring, with
respect to the day of Easter, that attention must be given not only to the
course of the moon and the transit of the equinox, but also to the passage
(transcensum) of the sun, which removes every foul ambush and offence of all
darkness, and brings on the advent of light and the power and inspiration of
the elements of the whole world, he speaks thus: In the (matter of the) day of
Easter, he remarks, I do not say that it is to be observed that the Lord's day should
be found, and the seven (6) days of the moon which are to elapse, but that the
sun should pass that division, to wit, between light and darkness, constituted
in an equality by the dispensation of the Lord at the beginning of the world;
and that, from one hour to two hours, from two to three, from three to four,
from four to five, from five to six hours, while the light is increasing in the
ascent of the sun, the darkness should decrease.(7) ... and the addition of the
twentieth number being completed, twelve parts should be supplied in one and
the same day. But if I should have attempted to add any little drop of mine (8)
after the exuberant streams of the eloquence and science of some, what else
should there be to believe but that it should be ascribed by all to
ostentation, and, to speak more truly, to madness, did not the assistance of
your promised prayers animate us for a little? For we believe that nothing is
impossible to your power of prayer, and to your faith. Strengthened, therefore,
by this confidence, we shall set bashfulness aside, and shall enter this most
deep and unforeseen sea of the obscurest calculation, in which swelling
questions and problems surge around us on all sides.
II.
There is, then, in
the first year, the new moon of the first month, which is the beginning of
every cycle of nineteen years, on the six and twentieth day of the month called
by the Egyptians Phamenoth.(9) But, according to the months of the Macedonians,
it is on the two-and-twentieth day of Dystrus. And, as the Romans would say, it
is on the eleventh day before the Kalends of April. Now the sun is found on the
said six-and-twentieth day of Phamenoth, not only as having mounted to the
first segment, but as already passing the fourth day in it. And this segment
they are accustomed to call the first dodecatemorion (twelfth part), and the
equinox, and the beginning of months, and the head of the cycle, and the
starting-point (1) of the course of the planets. And the segment before this
they call the last of the months, and the twelfth segment, and the last
dodecatemorion, and the end of the circuit (2) of the planets. And for this
reason, also, we maintain that those who place the first month in it, and who
determine the fourteenth day of the Paschal season by it, make no trivial or
common blunder.
III.
Nor is this an
opinion confined to ourselves alone. For it was also known to the Jews of old
and before Christ, and it was most carefully observed by them.(3) And this may
be learned from what Philo, and Josephus, and Musaeus have written; and not
only from these, but indeed from others still more ancient, namely, the two
Agathobuli,(4) who were surnamed the Masters, and the eminent Aristobulus,(5)
who was one of the Seventy who translated the sacred and holy Scriptures of the
Hebrews for Ptolemy Philadelphus and his father, and dedicated his exegetical
books on the law of Moses to the same kings. These writers, in solving some
questions which are raised with respect to Exodus, say that all alike ought to
sacrifice the Passover(6) after the vernal equinox in the middle of the first
month. And that is found to be when the sun passes through the first segment of
the solar, or, as some among them have named it, the zodiacal circle.
IV.
But this Aristobulus
also adds, that for the feast of the Passover it was necessary not only that
the sun should pass the equinoctial segment, but the moon also. For as there
are two equinoctial segments, the vernal and the autumnal, and these
diametrically opposite to each other, and since the day of the Passover is
fixed for the fourteenth day of the month, in the evening, the moon will have
the position diametrically opposite the sun; as is to be seen in full moons.
And the sun will thus be in the segment of the vernal equinox, and the moon necessarily
will be at the autumnal equinox.
V.
I am aware that very
many other matters were discussed by them, some of them with considerable
probability, and others of them as matters of the clearest demonstration,(7) by
which they endeavour to prove that the festival of the Passover and unleavened
bread ought by all means to be kept after the equinox. But I shall pass on
without demanding such copious demonstrations(on subjects(8)) from which the
veil of the Mosaic law has been removed; for now it remains for us with
unveiled face to behold ever as in a glass Christ Himself and the doctrines and
sufferings of Christ. But that the first month among the Hebrews is about the
equinox, is clearly shown also by what is taught in the book of Enoch.(9)
VI.
And, therefore, in
this concurrence of the sun and moon, the Paschal festival is not to be
celebrated, because as long as they are found in this course the power of
darkness is not overcome; and as long as equality between light and darkness
endures, and is not diminished by the light, it is shown that the Paschal
festival is not to be celebrated. Accordingly, it is enjoined that that
festival be kept after the equinox, because the moon of the fourteenth,(10) if
before the equinox or at the equinox, does not fill the whole night. But after
the equinox, the moon of the fourteenth, with one day being added because of
the passing of the equinox, although it does not extend to the true light, that
is, the rising of the sun and the beginning of day, will nevertheless leave no
darkness behind it. And, in accordance with this, Moses is charged by the Lord
to keep seven days of unleavened bread for the celebration of the Passover,
that in them no power of darkness should be found to surpass the light. And
although the outset of four nights begins to be dark, that is, the 17th and
18th and 19th and 20th, yet the moon of the 20th, which rises before that, does
not permit the darkness to extend on even to midnight.
VII.
To us, however, with
whom it is impossible for all these things to come aptly at one and the same
time, namely, the moon's fourteenth, and the Lord's day, and the passing of the
equinox, and whom the obligation of the Lord's resurrection binds to keep the
Paschal festival on the Lord's day, it is granted that we may extend the
beginning of our celebration even to the moon's twentieth. For although the
moon of the 20th does not fill the whole night, yet, rising as it does in the
second watch, it illumines the greater part of the night. Certainly if the
rising of the moon should be delayed on to the end of two watches, that is to
say, to midnight, the light would not then exceed the darkness, but the
darkness the light. But it is clear that in the Paschal
feast it is not possible that any part of the darkness should surpass the
light; for the festival of the Lord's resurrection is one of light, and there
is no fellowship between light and darkness. And if the moon should rise in the
third watch, it is clear that the 22d or 23d of the moon would then be reached,
in which it is not possible that there can be a true celebration of Easter. For
those who determine that the festival may be kept at this age of the moon, are
not only unable to make that good by the authority of Scripture, but turn also
into the crime of sacrilege and contumacy, and incur the peril of their souls;
inasmuch as they affirm that the true light may be celebrated along with
something of that power of darkness which dominates all.
VIII.
Accordingly, it is
not the case, as certain calculators of Gaul allege, that this assertion is
opposed by that passage in Exodus,(1) where we read: "In the first month,
on the fourteenth day of the first month, at even, ye shall eat unleavened
bread until the one-and-twentieth day of the month at even. Seven days shall
there be no leaven found in your houses." From this they maintain that it
is quite permissible to celebrate the Passover on the twenty-first day of the
moon; understanding that if the twenty-second day were added, there would be
found eight days of unleavened bread. A thing which cannot be found with any
probability, indeed, in the Old Testament, as the Lord, through Moses, gives
this charge: "Seven days ye shall eat unleavened bread."(2) Unless
perchance the fourteenth day is not reckoned by them among the days of
unleavened bread with the celebration of the feast; which, however, is contrary
to the Word of the Gospel which says: "Moreover, on the first day of
unleavened bread, the disciples came to Jesus."(3) And there is no doubt
as to its being the fourteenth day on which the disciples asked the Lord, in
accordance with the custom established for them of old, "Where wilt Thou
that we prepare for Thee to eat the Passover?" But they who are deceived
with this error maintain this addition, because they do not know that the 13th
and 14th, the 14th and 15th, the 15th and 16th, the 16th and 17th, the 17th and
18th, the 18th and 19th, the 19th and 20th, the 20th and 21st days of the moon
are each found, as may be most surely proved, within a single day. For every day
in the reckoning of the moon does not end in the evening as the same day in
respect of number, as it is at its beginning in the morning. For the day which
in the morning, that is up to the sixth hour and half, is numbered the 13th day
of the month, is found at even to be the 14th. Wherefore, also, the Passover is
enjoined to be extended on to the 21st day at even; which day, without doubt,
in the morning, that is, up to that term of hours which we have mentioned, was
reckoned the 20th. Calculate, then, from the end of the 13th(4) day of the
moon, which marks the beginning of the 14th, on to the end of the 20th, at
which the 21st day also begins, and you will have only seven days of unleavened
bread, in which, by the guidance of the Lord, it has been determined before
that the most true feast of the Passover ought to be celebrated.
IX.
But what wonder is
it that they should have erred in the matter of the 21st day of the moon who
have added three days before the equinox, in which they hold that the Passover
may be celebrated? An assertion which certainly must be considered altogether
absurd, since, by the best-known historiographers of the Jews, and by the
Seventy Elders, it has been clearly determined that the Paschal festival cannot
be celebrated at the equinox.
X.
But nothing was
difficult to them with whom it was lawful to celebrate the Passover on any day
when the fourteenth of the moon happened after the equinox. Following their
example up to the present time all the bishops of Asia-as themselves also receiving
the rule from an unimpeachable authority, to wit, the evangelist John, who
leant on the Lord's breast, and drank in instructions spiritual without
doubt-were in the way of celebrating the Paschal feast, without question, every
year, whenever the fourteenth day of the moon had come, and the lamb was
sacrificed by the Jews after the equinox was past; not acquiescing, so far as
regards this matter, with the authority of some, namely, the successors of
Peter and Paul, who have taught all the churches in which they sowed the
spiritual seeds of the Gospel, that the solemn festival of the resurrection of
the Lord can be celebrated only on the Lord's day. Whence, also, a certain
contention broke out between the successors of these, namely, Victor, at that time
bishop of the city of Rome, and Polycrates, who then appeared to hold the
primacy among the bishops of Asia. And this contention was adjusted most
rightfully by Irenaeus,(1) at that time president of a part of Gaul, so that
both parties kept by their own order, and did not decline from the original
custom of antiquity. The one party, indeed, kept the Paschal day on the
fourteenth day of the first month, according to the Gospel, as they thought,
adding nothing of an extraneous kind, but keeping through all things the rule
of faith. And the other party, passing the day of the Lord's Passion as one
replete with sadness and grief, hold that it should not be lawful to celebrate
the Lord's mystery of the Passover at any other time but on the Lord's day, on
which the resurrection of the Lord from death took place, and on which rose
also for us the cause of everlasting joy. For it is one thing to act in
accordance with the precept given by the apostle, yea, by the Lord Himself, and
be sad with the sad, and suffer with him that suffers by the cross, His own
word being: "My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death; "(2)
and it is another thing to rejoice with the victor as he triumphs over an
ancient enemy, and exults with the highest triumph over a conquered adversary,
as He Himself also says: "Rejoice with Me; for I have found the sheep
which I had lost."(3)
XI.
Moreover, the
allegation which they sometimes make against us, that if we pass the moon's
fourteenth we cannot celebrate the beginning of the Paschal feast in light,(4)
neither moves nor disturbs us. For, although they lay it down as a thing
unlawful, that the beginning of the Paschal festival should be extended so far
as to the moon's twentieth; yet they cannot deny that it ought to be extended
to the sixteenth and seventeenth, which coincide with the day on which the Lord
rose from the dead. But we decide that it is better that it should be extended
even on to the twentieth day, on account of the Lord's day, than that we should
anticipate the Lord's day on account of the fourteenth day; for on the Lord's
day was it that light was shown to us in the beginning, and now also in the
end, the comforts of all present and the tokens of all future blessings. For
the Lord ascribes no less praise to the twentieth day than to the fourteenth.
For in the book of Leviticus(5) the injunction is expressed thus: "In the
first month, on the fourteenth day of this month, at even, is the Lord's
Passover. And on the fifteenth day of this month is the feast of unleavened bread
unto the Lord. Seven days ye shall eat unleavened bread. The first day shall be
to you one most diligently attended(6) and holy. Ye shall do no servile work
thereon. And the seventh day shall be to you more diligently attended(7) and
holier; ye shall do no servile work thereon." And hence we maintain that
those have contracted no guilt(8) 'before the tribunal of Christ, who have held
that the beginning of the Paschal festival ought to be extended to this day.
And this, too, the most especially, as we are pressed by three difficulties,
namely, that we should keep the solemn festival of the Passover on the Lord's
day, and after the equinox, and yet not beyond the limit of the moon's
twentieth day.
XII.
But this again is
held by other wise and most acute men to be an impossibility, because within
that narrow and most contracted limit of a cycle of nineteen years, a
thoroughly genuine Paschal time, that is to say, one held on the Lord's day and
yet after the equinox, cannot occur. But, in order that we may set in a clearer
light the difficulty which causes their in credulity, we shall set down, along
with the courses of the moon, that cycle of years which we have mentioned; the
days being computed before in which the year rolls on in its alternating
courses, by Kalends and Ides and Nones, and by the sun's ascent and descent.
XIII.
The moon's age set
forth in the Julian Calendar.
January, on the
Kalends, one day, the moon's first (day); on the Nones, the 5th day, the moon's
5th; on the Ides, the 13th day, the moon's 13th. On the day before the Kalends
of February, the 31st day, the moon's 1st; on the Kalends of February, the 32d day,
the moon's 2d; on the Nones, the 36th day, the moon's 6th; on the Ides, the
44th day, the moon's 14th. On the day before the Kalends of March, the 59th
day, the moon's 29th; on the Kalends of March, the 60th day, the moon's 1st; on
the Nones, the 66th day, the moon's 7th; on the Ides, the 74th day, the moon's
15th. On the day before the Kalends of April, the 90th day, the moon's 2d; on
the Kalends of April, the 91st day, the moon's 3d; on the Nones, the 95th day,
the moon's 7th; on the Ides, the 103d day, the moon's 15th. On the day before
the Kalends of May, the 120th day, the moon's 3d; on the Kalends of May, the
121st day, the moon's 4th; on the Nones, the 127th day, the moon's 10th; on the
Ides, the 135th day, the moon's 18th. On the day before the Kalends of June,
the 151st day, the moon's 3d; on the Kalends of June, the 152d day, the moon's
5th; on the Nones, the 153d day, the moon's 9th; on the Ides, the 164th day,
the moon's 17th. On the day before the Kalends of July, the 181st day, the
moon's 5th; on the Kalends of July, the 182d day, the moon's 6th; on the Nones,
the 188th day, the moon's 12th; on the Ides, the 196th day, the moon's 20th. On
the day before the Kalends of August, the 212th day, the moon's 5th; on the
Kalends of August, the 213th day, the moon's 7th; on the Nones, the 217th day,
the moon's 12th; on the ides, the 225th day, the moon's 19th. On the day before
the Kalends of September, the 243d day, the moon's 7th; on the Kalends of
September, the 244th day, the moon's 8th; on the Nones, the 248th day, the
moon's 12th; on the Ides, the 256th day, the moon's 20th. On the day before the
Kalends of October, the 273d day, the moon's 8th; on the Kalends of October,
the 247th day, the moon's 9th; on the Nones, the 280th day, the moon's 15th; on
the Ides, the 288th day, the moon's 23d. On the day before the Kalends of
November, the 304th day, the moon's 9th; on the Kalends of November, the 305th
day, the moon's 10th; on the Nones, the 309th day, the moon's 14th; on the
Ides, the 317th day, the moon's 22d. On the day before the Kalends of December,
the 334th day, the moon's 10th; on the Kalends of December, the 335th day, the
moon's 11th; on the Nones, the 339th day, the moon's 15th; on the Ides, the
347th day, the moon's 23d. On the day before the Kalends of January, the 365th
day, the moon's 11th; on the Kalends of January, the 366th day, the moon's
12th.
XIV.
The Paschal or
Easter Table of Anatolius.
Now, then, after the
reckoning of the days and the exposition of the course of the moon, whereon the
whole revolves on to its end, the cycle of the years may be set forth from the
commencement).(1) This makes the Passover (Easter season) circulate between the
6th day before the Kalends of April and the 9th before the Kalends of May,
according to the following table:--
EQUINOX. Moon.
Easter. Moon.
1. SABBATH. XXVI.
XVth before the Kalends of 17th April. XVIII.
2. LORD'S DAY. VII.
Kalends of April, i.e., 1st April. XIV.
3. IID DAY (FERIAL).
XVIII. XIth before the Kalends of May, i.e., 21st April. XVI.
4. lIID DAY. XXIX.
Ides of April, i.e., 13th April. XIX.
5. IVTH DAY. X. IVth
before the Kalends of April, i.e., 29th March. XIV.
6. VTH DAY. XXI.
XIVth before the Kalends of May, i.e., 18th April. XVI.
7. SABBATH(2). II.
VIth before the Kalends of April, i.e., 27th March. XVII.
8. LORD'S DAY. Xlll.
Kalends of April, i.e., 1st April. XX.
9. IID DAY. XXIV.
XVIIIth before the Kalends of May, i.e., 14th March. XV.
10. IIID DAY. V.
VIIIth before the Ides of April, i.e., 6th April. XV.
11. IVTH DAY. XVI.
IVth before the Kalends of April, i.e., 29th March. XX.
12. VTH DAY. XXVII.
IIId before the Ides of April, i.e., 11th April. XV.
13. VITH DAY. VIII
IIId before the Nones of April, i.e., 3d April. XVII
14. SABBATH. XX.
IXth before the Kalends of May, i.e., 23d April. XX.
15. LORD'S DAY. I.
VIth before the Ides of April, i.e., 8th April. XV.
16. IID DAY. XII.
IId before the Kalends of April, i.e., 31st March. XVIII
17. IVTH DAY(2).
XXIII. XIVth before the Kalends of May, i.e., 18th April. XIX.
18. VTH DAY. IV.
IId before the Nones of April, i.e., 4th April. XIV.
19. VITH DAY. XV.
VIth before the Kalends of April i.e., 27th March. XVII.
XV.
This cycle of
nineteen years is not approved of by certain African investigators who have
drawn up larger cycles, because it seems to be somewhat opposed to their
surmises and opinions. For these make up the best proved accounts according to
their calculation, and determine a certain beginning or certain end for the Easter
season, so as that the Paschal festival shall not be celebrated before the
eleventh day before the Kalends of April, i.e., 24th March, nor after the
moon's twenty-first, and the eleventh day before the Kalends of May, i.e., 21st
April. But we hold that these are limits not only not to be followed, but to be
detested and overturned. For even in the ancient law it is laid down that this
is to be seen to, viz., that the Passover be not celebrated before the transit
of the vernal equinox, at which the last of the autumnal term is overtaken,(1)
on the fourteenth day of the first month, which is one calculated not by the
beginnings of the day, but by those of the moon.(2) And as this has been
sanctioned by the charge of the Lord, and is in all things accordant with the
Catholic faith, it cannot be doubtful to any wise man that to anticipate it
must be a thing unlawful and perilous. And, accordingly, this only is it
sufficient for all the saints and Catholics to observe, namely, that giving no
heed to the diverse opinions of very many, they should keep the solemn festival
of the Lord's resurrection within the limits which we have set forth.
XVI.
Furthermore, as to
the proposal subjoined to your epistle, that I should attempt to introduce into
this little book some notice of the ascent and descent of the sun, which is
made out in the distribution of days and nights. The matter proceeds thus: In
fifteen days and half an hour, the sun ascending by so many minutes, that is,
by four in one day, from the eighth day before the Kalends of January, i.e.,
25th December, to the eighth before the Kalends of April, i.e., 25th March, an
hour is taken up;(3) at which date there are twelve hours and a twelfth. On
this day, towards evening, if it happen also to be the moon's fourteenth, the
lamb was sacrificed among the Jews. But if the number went beyond that, so that
it was the moon's fifteenth or sixteenth on the evening of the same day, on the
fourteenth day of the second moon, in the same month, the Passover was
celebrated; and the people ate unleavened bread for seven days, up to the
twenty first day at evening. Hence, if it happens in like manner to us, that
the seventh day before the Kalends of April, 26th March, proves to be both the
Lord's day and the moon's fourteenth, Easter is to be celebrated on the
fourteenth. But if it proves to be the moon's fifteenth or sixteenth, or any
day up to the twentieth, then our regard for the Lord's resurrection, which
took place on the Lord's day, will lead us to celebrate it on the same principle;
yet this should be done so as that the beginning of Easter may not pass beyond
the close of their festival, that is to say, the moon's twentieth. And
therefore we have said that those parties have committed no trivial offence who
have ventured either on anticipating or on going beyond this number, which is
given us in the divine Scriptures themselves. And from the eighth day before
the Kalends of April, 25th March, to the eighth before the Kalends of July,
24th June, in fifteen days an hour is taken up: the sun ascending every day by
two minutes and a half, and the sixth part of a minute. And from the eighth day
before the Kalends of July, 24th June, to the eighth before the Kalends of
October, 24th September, in like manner, in fifteen days and four hours, an
hour is taken up: the sun descending every day by the same number of minutes.
And the space remaining on to the eighth day before the Kalends of January,
25th December, is determined in a similar number of hours and minutes. So that
thus on the eighth day before the Kalends of January, for the hour there is the
hour and half. For up to that day and night are distributed. And the twelve
hours which were established at the vernal equinox in the beginning by the
Lord's dispensation, being distributed over the night on the eighth before the
Kalends of July, the sun ascending through those eighteen several degrees which
we have noted, shall be found conjoined with the longer space in the twelfth.
And, again, the twelve hours which should be fulfilled at the autumnal equinox
in the sun's descent, should be found disjoined on the sixth before the Kalends
of January as six hours divided into twelve, the night holding eighteen divided
into twelve. And on the eighth before the Kalends of July, in like manner, it
held six divided into twelve.
XVII.
Be not ignorant of
this, however, that those four determining periods,(4) which we have mentioned,
although they are approximated to the Kalends of the following months, yet hold
each the middle of a season, viz., of spring and summer, and autumn and winter.
And the beginnings of the seasons are not to be fixed at that point at which
the Kalends of the month begin. But each season is to be begun in such way that
the equinox divides the season of spring from its first day; and the season of
summer is divided by the eighth day before the Kalends of July, and that of
autumn by the eighth before the Kalends of October, and that of winter by the
eighth before the Kalends of January in like manner.(5)
Link
Sant' Anatolio di Laodicea
Martirologio Romano: A Laodicea in Siria,
commemorazione di sant’Anatolio, vescovo, che lasciò scritti degni di
ammirazione non solo per gli uomini di fede, ma anche per i filosofi.
Anatolio
di Laodicea, alessandrino di origine, si distinse tra i suoi concittadini per
la cultura letteraria, filosofica e scientifica. In particolare gli si ascrive
il merito di aver salvato una parte notevole dei suoi concittadini dai rigori
dell'assedio posto dai Romani, probabilmente nel 263, al quartiere portuale di
Alessandria detto il Bruchio (Bruchium). Poco dopo, forse perché compromesso in
quell'episodio militare, si spostò in Palestina e si pose al servizio del
vescovo di Cesarea, Teotecno, che lo creò vescovo e lo scelse come suo
coadiutore. In occasione del secondo Concilio adunato ad Antiochia nel 268 contro
Paolo di Samosata, Anatolio passò per Laodicea. Qui era stato vescovo per
qualche anno, dal 264, Eusebio, suo compatriota e amico, nonché compagno
nell'affare del Bruchio, venuto a mancare da poco alla sua chiesa. E per
l'affetto che portavano allo scomparso e per la fama che Anatolio già godeva,
gli abitanti di Laodicea costrinsero il santo ad accettare il governo della
loro chiesa. Non sappiamo come Anatolio trascorse il suo episcopato, né quando
morì. Secondo Eusebio, che ci tramanda le poche notizie che possediamo sulla
sua vita, ad Anatolio vanno attribuiti un computo pasquale e dieci libri
sull'aritmetica. Di questi
ultimi restano alcuni frammenti, mentre è discussa la paternità del Liber
Anatolii de ratione paschali, pubblicato per la prima volta dal Boucher nel
1634.
Autore: Giorgio Eldarov
