Martyrium oder Askese?

Abstract

Paulinus of Nola developed in his fourth Natalicium a contemporary concept of holiness, from the representation and interaction of the two protagonists Felix and Maximus. In place of martyrdom, he placed at the centre of the work a form of ‘alternative martyrdom’, e.g. asceticism or service to people. The two main characters Felix and Maximus are initially portrayed as two different types and represent two entirely different ideals: the presbyter Felix represents, as a perfect saint-template, the Martyr-Ideal, while the Bishop Maximus embodies asceticism as a weak human. In the course of the action, through acquaintance with the suffering Bishop Maximus, Felix transforms himself from a rigorous and superhuman martyr to a human and philanthropic patron and helper of the needy. This coincides with a gradual replacement of the Martyr-Ideal with the Ideal of an ‘alternative martyrdom’ (e.g. asceticism), which is elevated to an equal norm of holiness and increasingly attains importance. Paulinus manages, through different narrative strategies, to embed the fourth Natalicium in the contemporary religious, cultural, and literary movements, and at the same time to design an entirely original and innovative profile and concept for St. Felix.

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