Late Patristic Period · AD 500–850
John of Damascus
c. 675–749 · Early Church · Damascus / Jerusalem
A Christian monk and theologian from the Arabic-speaking world, associated with the monastery of Mar Saba near Jerusalem.
Major contributions
Orthodox theology, icons
- Synthesized Christian doctrine in the Exposition of the Orthodox Faith.
- Defended the veneration of icons during iconoclastic controversy.
Theological positions
Modern labels do not always describe historical writers precisely.
- Christology
His Exposition of the Orthodox Faith summarizes the incarnation and Christ’s two natures.
- Church Authority
His icon defenses appeal to the incarnation and received church tradition.
Major writings
- Exposition of the Orthodox Faith
- On the Divine Images