On the Ecclesiastical Hierarchy

Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite · c. 500 AD

The Works of Dionysius the Areopagite (Parker), John Parker, The Works of Dionysius the Areopagite, 2 vols., London: James Parker & Co. (Skeffington), 1897–1899; transcribed by Roger Pearse, tertullian.org.

Anonymous Greek-writing theologian active c. 500 AD, writing under the pseudonym 'Dionysius the Areopagite' (the Athenian convert of St Paul in Acts 17:34). His Corpus Areopagiticum — the Divine Names, Mystical Theology, Celestial Hierarchy, Ecclesiastical Hierarchy, and ten Letters — synthesizes late Neoplatonic metaphysics with Christian doctrine and became foundational for Orthodox apophatic theology. The Orthodox tradition receives the corpus critically (recognizing its pseudonymity) while reading it as a vital expression of mystical theology: cited extensively by St Maximus the Confessor, St John of Damascus, and the hesychast tradition through St Gregory Palamas.

Contents

1. Caput I — To my Fellow Presbyter Timothy. Dionysius the Presbyter.(6 chapters)
2. Caput II — I. Concerning things done in Illumination.(17 chapters)
3. Caput III — I. Concerning things accomplished in the Synaxis.(16 chapters)
4. Caput IV — I. Concerning things performed in the Muron, and concerning things perfected in it.(13 chapters)
5. Caput V — I. Concerning sacerdotal Consecrations.(15 chapters)
6. Caput VI — I. Concerning the Ranks of the Initiated.(9 chapters)
7. Caput VII — I. Concerning things performed over those fallen asleep.(14 chapters)