Among the philosophers who most influenced Medieval Christian theology whose work provided the inspiration for stained glass windows in churches is an ancient thinker who was not the person he pretended to be. Dionysius the Areopagite was a minor character in the Book of Acts. In the 5th century, a Christian Neoplatonist impersonated Dionysius as a way to give his philosophical writings the aura of apostolic authority. He was further confused with the patron saint of Paris, a completely different Dionysius or “Denis,” who had been bishop of Paris in the 3rd century. John Hamer of Toronto Centre Place will untangle the histories of the different Dionysiuses and explain the scope and influence of Pseudo-Dionysius’ works.

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Topics covered in this lecture include:
Medieval Christian Theology
Neoplatonism in Christianity
Mystical Theology
The Book of Acts and Dionysius
Stained Glass Art in Medieval Churches
Saint Denis, Bishop of Paris
Intersection of Philosophy and Early Christian Thought
The Role of Authorship and Authority in Ancient Writings

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