Vision of Theophilus (eBook)

Vision of Theophilus is an embedded apocryphon taking the form of an apparition of the Virgin Mary recounting the journey of the Holy Family in Egypt to Theophilus, patriarch of Alexandria (r. 385-412). Theophilus recounts the vision in a homily delivered on the feast day of her dormition. Cyril of Alexandria (r. 412-444) is credited here with writing down Theophilus's words. According to the framing homily, Theophilus was appointed by the emperor Theodosius to use funds looted from pagan temples and treasuries to build and renovate churches in Egypt. He comes to Dayr al-Muharraq, a monastery on a holy mountain near the village of Qusqam and there delivers the homily in praise of a church built on the mountain over the remains of a home said to have been the dwelling of the holy family for six months of their three-year and six-month stay in Egypt. The bishop begins by comparing Jesus' stay on the holy mountain to the epiphany of Moses on Mount Sinai and to Jesus' addresses to the disciples on the Mount of Olives. He connects the holy family's flight to Egypt also with the woman who flees from the dragon of Revelation to the mountains (Rev 12:1-6; 14-17). Then he details his efforts to build a church for John the Baptist in Rome, after which Theodosius charges him with his mission to Egypt. He mentions his arrival at the holy mountain and introduces his vision, which he received while lodging at the house on its premises.