Adopting a Saint: Athanasius of Laura and His Hagiographer Athanasius ‛of Panagios’

Abstract

Athanasius, the author of Vita A of Athanasius the Athonite, included into his text several passages in which he explains why he took up the pen. These passages are not only exceptionally long but also unusually well crafted. The present article offers an in-depth analysis of the argument. It demonstrates that Athanasius, a member of the Byzantine elite, was an egocentric who believed that he was the sole heir of the monastic tradition that had been created by the saint.

Keywords

• athanasius of laura, athanasios athonite