The Hagiographic Dossier of Syneros (Serenus) of Sirmium, Gardener and Martyr (BHL 7595-7596)

The Passio Sereni (BHL 7595-7596) is one of the most intriguing hagiographic narratives stemming from late antique Pannonia. The cult of its protagonist, whose name can be reconstructed from ancient sources as Syneros, left its imprint on the landscape of ancient Sirmium. Taken together, these represent an important source for the study of early Christianity in Sirmium, as well as Pannonia. The present contribution offers a concise, yet comprehensive overview of Syneros’ cult and other elements of his hagiographic dossier (name, date), followed by the first critical edition of the Passio Sereni. Collated on the basis of ten witnesses ranging from the ninth to the fifteenth century, the new text established here also elucidates the problem of subsequent redactions: Notably, if previous scholarship considered the two published versions (the Bollandist and Ruinart’s, respectively) as two distinct recensions, it is demonstrated here that both of these versions are merely reworked copies of an older archetype. The present contribution thus provides a state-of-the art instrument for future research. An English translation is also included

Ancient history · Antique · Archaeology · Art · Christianity · Cult · Early Christianity · Fifteenth · Literature · Narrative · Ninth · Novella · Scholarship · Ancient and Medieval Archaeology Studies · Byzantine Studies and History · Classics · Historical and Religious Studies of Rome · History