Memoria Apostolorum. Apostolic Figures in Early Christian Memory (1st-3rd centuries)

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Stephan Witetschek
• Subject Area: Roman Catholic Theology ; Ancient History
• Term: from 2017 to 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 388226599

Early Christian Literature (1st-3rd century, from Paul's letters to the Apocryphal Acts of Apostles) shows a sustained interest in apostolic figures, as narrative characters and as pseudepigraphic authors. This project sets out to understand these literary characterizations of apostolic figures (not simply "the Twelve Apostles", but precisely Peter, Paul, John, Thomas, Andrew, Philipp, James [Son of Zebedee], Levi/Matthew, Jude, Judas Iscariot, Matthias, James [Brother of Jesus], Mary Magdalene, Barnabas, Salome, Mary and Martha, and the Twelve as a group) in terms of a theory of memory. Useful theoretical foundations are available in Jan Assmann's concept of "cultural memory", as well as in Pierre Nora's thoughts about the "lieux de mémoire" being condensations of collective or cultural memory that serve to affirm group identity in the present. "Memory" is thus understood as intentional reference to the past, the shape of which is due to the interests and concerns of the present: Memory of the past takes a shape that makes sense to the present. It is in this sense that representations of apostolic figures stand out as condensations of early Christian cultural memory. However, this project requires some modification of the concept of "cultural memory", since Christianity in the 1st-3rd century was a subculture within the Hellenistic and Roman world. Its relationship to society at large was to be negotiated. The project's focus is, therefore, on the cultural memory of an ancient subculture. In this respect the project offers a contribution to the ongoing discourse in cultural studies.Sources are early Christian texts up to the mid-3rd century which feature the apostolic figures mentioned above. The objective is to make the picture as comprehensive as possible, including the New Testament, Christian Apocrypha, Apostolic Fathers, Apologists and Heresiologists, but also texts of "heretical" groups that are only preserved in fragments in the works of later authors like Eusebius and Epiphanius. The survey yields quite different profiles of prominent apostles, like Peter or Paul. These differences, in turn, offer valuable insights into the inner plurality of early Christianity.Result will be made accessible in established academic publications, as well as for a broader public.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants