Basil of Seleucia

Abstract

Abstract The article analyzes the validity of recent claims to attribute the Acathistus hymn to Basil of Seleucia on the basis of the hymn’s strong literary ties to two other works linked to his name, the De uita et miraculis s. Theclae (CPG 6675) and In sanctae deiparae annuntiationem (CPG 6656.39). Charting a relatively substantial history of misguided attributions of these texts to Basil’s name, including the evidence of the earliest underscript of the double palimpsest, Vat. gr. 1853, the author shows the far-reaching consequences of such claims. By comparing style and the theological content of the attributed works to other works in Basil of Seleucia’s corpus, the author confirms the spurious status of the works allegedly linked to his name and thus that of the associated hymn.