Visualizing Angels in the Life of Andrew, the Holy Fool (BHG 115z). Its Sources and Parallels

The paper examines the various ways in which angels are sketched in the Life of Andrew salos (BHG 115z). The composition of the hagiographic narrative concerning this fictional Holy Fool, whose life is set in an artificial 5th century Constantinopolitan context, is dated to the 10th century and is characterized, in general, by alternating episodes with a strong visual impact, long conceptual - even abstract - disquisitions, and more specifically, by the ascendancy and authority of its protagonist, Andrew, on angels. -- This aspect is relevant when the text is compared to its 7th century model, the Life of Symeon salos (BHG 1677) by Leontios of Neapolis, and in parallel to the Life of Basil the Younger (BHG 264), one more fictional saint whose life is a product of 10th century Constantinopolitan hagiography. These texts, despite differences in authorship and settings, address various patterns of the reception of angels, especially seen from the perspective of human interaction with God, and the strive towards a proper Christian life and behaviour. The life of Andrew delineates the effective power of angels in the struggle against demons, and in fending off evil spirits. However, the stories and episodes in which angels are outlined seem to respond to a specific instructive intent, and touch upon a wide range of eschatological concerns in which angels appear to be utterly decisive.