Tradition

I have chosen this title, very general and insolvent because not explains the choice, but it is very laic choice because I want explain what is motive for hagiographical literature, above catholic culture, which assumed during his history much characteristics of pagan culture and above all for his hagiographical tales; I consider last hagiographical biography, that saint Francis from Assisi, whose author is Saint Bonaventura, general father of Franciscan order, who has had serious duty to write life and miracles of this saint; but during read of this book is evident that much episodes have biblical origin, the miracles of water from stone(Fig.1) is assumed directly by Ancient Testament, Moses who quenches thirst in the desert(Fig.2), and other miracles which are took directly by Ancient Testament; but general consideration of this book as all hagiographical literature is very assumed from mythological literature; we can believe or no to miracles but it is very credible that these are from pagan model and although these aren’t mirror are same spirit; difficult that heroes, now is the saint has confronted is model of pagan literature and mythological archetype, same hero who with prayer defeats danger, like mythological hero defeated dangers with material armies and with divine help, because we must remind that often pagan gods are intervened to favour some hero as disfavour hero; Laocoön was slain by big serpent for will of Hera(Fig.3), Aeneas was helped by his mother Venus in Aeneid of Virgilio(Fig.4), as Antes giant who lived in Libya and who took force and energy by his mother word and whom was slain by Heracles because he embraced him and removed by word(Fig.5), these are alone some exemple necessary for explication of this concept, therefore mythological heroes become Christian with these hagiographical biographies; but pagan culture in Christian culture and costumed was always present also with these legends, because these are this, legends, necessary for  take trust of faithful; and it is motive because Luther deleted these literature and cult of saints, because these are document of pagan translation of literature. Tradition is present in translation by Pagan literature to Christian culture, and translation in latin language is Traditio, this is translated or tradition, this is hand down or hand on. 

Alessandro Lusana 

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