Original scientific paper
St Benedict through the Eyes of St Hildegard
Marija-Ana Dürrigl
orcid.org/0000-0002-7715-1953
; Staroslavenski institut, Zagreb
Abstract
The Benedictines have contributed vastly to the development of arts, learning and culture in Europe. The beginnings of Croatian literacy, both in Latin and Slavic idiom, are associated with their cloisters. This paper presents one view of St Benedict, written by St Hildegard of Bingen (1098 – 1179) which can be discerned from her literary and theological writings. For her, St Benedict is the epitome of a spiritual father and model for all believers. Benedict is like a second Moses who opened a plain and discrete way not only for monks, but for all elievers. In her works, particularly in Scivias, Hildegard fuses theology with various literary genres (visions, debates, hagiography, verse) of considerable aesthetic value. Through a symbolic and vivid language she defines the importance of St Benedict's spiritual legacy; these are inspired texts of the medieval monastic and literary tradition.
Keywords
St Benedict; St Hildegard of Bingen; Rule of St Benedict; Scivias
Hrčak ID:
199438
URI
Publication date:
26.3.2018.
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