Christological Letters: St. Maximus the Confessor (Popular Patristics)

Before the final chapter of his life, in which he entered decisively into the struggle against Monotheletism, St. Maximus the Confessor composed eight letters (Letters 12–19) that offer a sustained exposition and defense of the Chalcedonian doctrine of Christ’s two natures. These texts were written largely in response to the Christology of Severus of Antioch, whose influence remained widespread during Maximus’ lifetime. The Christological Letters invite readers to view Chalcedonian teaching through Maximus’ own theological vision as he presents a synthesis that is at once profound and distinctive yet fully faithful to the Church’s patristic and conciliar tradition. Moreover, the Christology articulated in these letters lays the groundwork for Maximus’ later teaching on the existence of two natural operations and two wills in the incarnate Christ.

This volume presents an English translation of Letters 12–19 based on the text of Combefis published in the Patrologia Graeca as well as on several Greek manuscripts. The translation is accompanied by a facing-page Greek text and an introductory essay.