Ann Usacheva - The term πανήγυρις in Old and New Testaments and Christian literature of the IV cent. AD

In Christian literature of the I-IV cent. AD, the term panegyris has a negative connotation of a crowded gathering of pagans for the sake of deity worship and sacrifice. In the same time, this term has a positive connotation of Christian festive meeting for religious celebrations. Old Testament contains both these meanings. St. Paul (Hebr. 12.23) expands on the positive connotation in a high metaphorical sense. Thus, the term panegyris gets a new meaning of the solemn assembly of the triumphant heavenly Church. So Christian writers began to interpret the genre of panegyric, keeping in mind its classic prototype (Isocrates) as well as the new meaning of the term panegyris. This is shown by the ceremonial orations ‘epideiktikoi logoi’ of St. Gregory of Nazianzus (Orationes: XVI, XXI, XXIV, XXV, VII, VIII, XVIII, XLIII, XXXVIII, XLI, XXXIX, XL, XLIV, XLV). These orations contain few common themes which can be interpreted as signs of Christian panegyric: 1) current celebration (panegyris) is the reason of the oration; 2) praise to God is the goal of the oration; 3) large audience; 4) request of cleansing of the listeners' souls; 5) God’s and angels’ participation in the current ceremonial oration.