(The Portrayal of the Bishop’s Position in the Work Historia persecutionis Africanae provinciae temporum Geiserici et Hunerici regum Vandalorum by Victor of Vita)

Abstract: Based on the work analysis by Victor of Vita Historia persecutionis Africanae provinciae sub Geiserico et Hunirico regibus Vandalorum, the contribution is dedicated to the portrayal and representation of the bishop in Africa on the territory of Vandal kingdom. It is a specific topic which is up to certain extent closely related to the persecution or rather to the oppression of the Catholic Church from the side of ruling Vandals who often tried to violently convert the majority of Roman population belonging to the Catholic Church to the Arian faith. Through the portrayal and representation of the bishop, the contribution follows more levels such as addressing the bishops, bishop’s level of knowledge, their preparedness to undergo suffering and even death because of their faith, charity activities, humility and modesty, the preparedness to serve to needy, oppressed and poor people. In the second part, the contribution dedicates to the comparison of the position and bishop’s activity in Africa and in the rest of the Roman Empire. Under Vandal rules, bishops in Africa had, of course, the limited possibilities to carry out their function and to secure its important components. Their preparedness to tackle serious theological issues which separated Vandal Arians and the Catholic Church underwent a great proof.

Authors: Jirkal, Emanuel

DOI: 10.17846/CL.2020.13.1.3-15

Publication order reference: PhDr. Emanuel Jirkal, PhD.; Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Faculty of Arts, Department of History, Hodžova 1, 949 74 Nitra, Slovakia; email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Source: Konštatínove listy, 2020, vol.: 11, issue: 1, pages: 3-15 (PDF file)

Keywords: CHURCH HISTORY, EARLY CHRISTIANITY, PERSECUTION OF THE CHRISTIANS, VANDAL KINGDOM, VICTOR OF VITA, BISHOP

Language: SLOVAK