Beato de Liébana and mozarabic commentary on Apocalypse

Abstract

One of original interpretations of a Book of Apocalypse, based on harmony of text and art of mozarabs’ miniaturists is commentary of Beato of Liebana, cantabrian monk in VIII century, whose work is until now practically unknown for polish researches. The theological interest in the last book of New Testament among mozarabic Christians has its roots in ecclesiological hermeneutics, which allows read message of Apocalypse as a call to the Church to remain faithful to the testimony of Jesus in each events of his difficult history. This work of Beato belongs to the specific types of catenae, exegetical chains, which recall the previous patristic interpretations of Apocalypse, but without abandoning the originality of the interpretation marked by the context of islamic culture. In his structure, the commentary is preceded by four prologues, and followed by storiae and explanatio. In article were also shown selected interpretations of mozarabic miniaturists (Churches of Apocalypse, the dragon and women, Church in heaven and martyrs etc.) and main theological theme (parousia and figure of antichrist). Reach in numerous Old Testament’s ecclesiological motives, Commentarius in Apocalypsin of Beato has ascetic-mystical character, setting out the adequate path for Christian existence, which shall be pursued in an unfriendly environment for Gospel. It is therefore required from the discipline of Christ the activity of vigilance and the ability to distinguish signs of the time (signa temporis), which permit to decode the real intentions of false witnesses which goes through the way of evil.