John of Damascus

John of Damascus (Latin: Iohannes Damascenus or Johannes Damascenus also known as John Damascene, Chrysorrhoas, "streaming with gold"—i.e., "the golden speaker") (c.676 – December 5, 749) was a Melkite monk and presbyter. He was born and raised in Damascus but died (in all probability) at the monastery of Mar Saba, southeast of Jerusalem.

List of Works

Early Work

• Three "Apologetic Treatises against those Decrying the Holy Images" – These treatises where among his earliest expositions in response to the edict by Leo the Isaurian of Constantinople, banning the worship or exhibition of holy images.

Teachings and Dogmatic Work

• "Fountain of Knowledge", also "The Fountain of Wisdom", this book is divided in three parts:
• # "Philosophical Chapters" (Kephalaia philosophika) – Commonly called 'Dialectic', deals mostly with logic, its primary purpose being to prepare the reader for a better understanding of the rest of the book.
• # "Concerning Heresy" (peri aipeseon) – In this book, in the section On Heresies, he dedicates a portion to the Heresy of the Ishmaelites, being the first apologetic work against Islam by a Christian.
• # "An Exact Exposition of the Orthodox Faith" (Ikdosis akribes tes orthodoxou pisteos) – This third section of the book is known to be the most important work of John de Damascene, and a treasured antiquity of Christianity.
• "Sacred Parallels"

Hymns and Minor Writings

• oktoichos – Known as the "hymn-book for the daily service", which he may be only responsible improving and revising it.
• Canons – 8 or 9 highly complicated structure of Hymns, composed of 3 or 4 strophes, each with its own individual composition and melody.
• "Tract on Right Thinking" – Minor writing consisting on an apology for the residents of Damascus.
• "Dialogue against Manicheans" – A form of dialogue aimed at answering questions proposed by his disciples.
• "Conversation between a Saracen and a Christian" – Similar form as previous work.
• "Introduction to Elementary Dogmatics" – As the name says, also aimed at his disciples.