Oecumenius

The complete commentaries of Oecumenius and Andrew of Caesarea on Revelation.

After an extensive introduction to the authors and their time, the commentaries of each are presented. Oecumenius is dated to the sixth century and Andrew of Caesarea somewhat later (late sixth-early seventh centuries). Both men are interested in understanding Revelation in light of the Christological controversies which had recently raged, Oecumenius more than Andrew. Oecumenius has some strange/idiosyncratic understanding of many of the typological interpretations of Revelation, and Andrew is quick to correct them. In general, both follow a typological construct; Andrew's commentary is quite good, and not for nothing was the standard commentary on Revelation among the Eastern Orthodox for generations.

The paucity of exposition on Revelation in the East might seem strange until one recognizes that many in the East maintained skepticism regarding the canonicity of Revelation on account of its abuse at the hands of heretics. These two are the substantive eastern commentaries on the text in the patristic period, and whereas they are good for the understanding of the history of interpretation of Revelation and associations between Psalms and Revelation, few if any today would follow the exegetical paths of these eastern authors.

Good resources for the history of interpretation of Revelation.… (mais)