The terminology of Jacques de Saroug regarding the Incarnation

Abstract

This article reviews the theological terminology used by Jacques de Saroug regarding the Incarnation. It is evident that, in his mimrés, the intention of the Master of Saroug is not to establish definitions or speculations on theological notions, but to offer the mystery of the Incarnation for the contemplation and understanding of the faithful. We go through in the article an analysis of the basic “incarnational” vocabulary, in the context of the Christological controversy of the 5th century, taking into account its equivocity and ambiguity. The article is not limited to terminology, but goes beyond it towards understanding the different Christological expressions used at that time, with the aim of understanding exactly the intention of this Father, taking into account the different nuances imposed by the translation into Syriac of an originally Greek discourse, attested both by the Fathers and by the biblical tradition.