The „Woman clothed with the sun” (Rev 12 : 1) in the interpretation of the thirteenth century Dominicans

Authors

  • Bogusław Kochaniewicz Uniwersytet im. Adama Mickiewicza

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21906/rbl.88

Keywords:

Revelation, interpretation, Dominicans, Middle Age, Mariology, preaching

Abstract

The analysis of the Dominican writings of 13th century allowed to formulate the following conclusions. The interpretation of the text Rev 12 : 1 in the Dominican preaching is richer than previously thought. Apart from the ecclesiological and Marian perspectives they reveal a new way of interpretation: the symbol of the apocalyptic woman clothed with the sun is referred to the saints.

It is also necessary to point out a wide range of meanings attributed to the image, the object of our analysis. The symbols of sun and moon had been read in light of the antithesis of the passing of time and eternity or of the other antithetical parallel: Christ and the Church. Reflected in this perspective, Mary has been shown not only in the mystery of the Assumption, but also as a mediatrix interceding for the people of God at the side of his Son. The bright robe, with which was clothed the apocalyptic woman, revealed either glorious body of Mary, either her whole person (the soul and body), participating in God’s glory. While the crown of twelve stars refers not only to the legions of angels and saints that surround Mary, but also to the spiritual virtues and the gifts that characterize the figure of Our Lady. Finally, it is necessary to add an unusual interpretation of the image of woman clothed with the sun in the light of the mystery of the Incarnation.

The analysis of the sermons allowed us to discover a wide spectrum of the interpretation of the text Rev 12 : 1 by the thirteenth century Dominicans. Their sermons are witnesses of excellent theological and practical preparation of the medieval preachers.

Published

2012-06-30

How to Cite

Kochaniewicz, B. (2012). The „Woman clothed with the sun” (Rev 12 : 1) in the interpretation of the thirteenth century Dominicans. The Biblical and Liturgical Movement, 65(2), 129–146. https://doi.org/10.21906/rbl.88

Issue

Vol. 65 No. 2 (2012)

Section

Articles

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

  1. Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License Licencja Creative Commons that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
  2. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
  3. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).