Hypatia of Alexandria

[NektariosLopez]

So I saw some short speaking about the painting, “The School of Athens” which depicts various intellectuals of history. One of these figures is Hypatia of Alexandria. I looked into her and appears she’s considered some type of Neoplatonist martyr, allegedly at the hands of Christian mob.
Also the alleged claim that she is the basis for St Catherine the Great Martyr.

From the highly reliable Wikipedia:

“ Hypatia constructed astrolabes and hydrometers, but did not invent either of these, which were both in use long before she was born. She was tolerant toward Christians and taught many Christian students, including Synesius, the future bishop of Ptolemais. Ancient sources record that Hypatia was widely beloved by pagans and Christians alike and that she established great influence with the political elite in Alexandria. Toward the end of her life, Hypatia advised Orestes, the Roman prefect of Alexandria, who was in the midst of a political feud with Cyril, the bishop of Alexandria. Rumors spread accusing her of preventing Orestes from reconciling with Cyril and, in March 415 AD, she was murdered by a mob of Christians led by a lector named Peter.[8][9]
Hypatia's murder shocked the empire and transformed her into a "martyr for philosophy", leading future Neoplatonists such as the historian Damascius (c. 458 – c. 538) to become increasingly fervent in their opposition to Christianity. During the Middle Ages, Hypatia was co-opted as a symbol of Christian virtue and scholars believe she was part of the basis for the legend of Saint Catherine of Alexandria. During the Age of Enlightenment, she became a symbol of opposition to Catholicism.”

As I’ve tried looking into sources about her being the “inspiration” for St Catherine, seems I can find it’s from secular, but more interestingly also from Jesuit sources, doubting the hagiography of St Catherine.

Does anyone know about Hypatia and what’s the story of “Christians murdering her.” Or of the hagiography of St Catherine according to Orthodox Tradition because wiki seems to only account for secular and Latin sources.

[NektariosLopez]

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This is the painting I was referencing and I pointed out Hypatia

[Suaidan]

I'll look around

[Barbara]

Oh I love that classic painting by Raphael ! I have a large print of it, and ironically there's a copy too where I was sitting in the library for a long time. I studied this picture in Art History.

I didn't see where you pointed out Hypatia, but there are other surprise individuals pictured here. One is the artist Raphael himself and the other is the Zoroastrian Prophet Zarathustra.
Sorry, i just looked at the picture close up, now i see it, thank you for that !
I was researching this painting a few months ago, but i've forgotten which figures are Raphael and Zarathustra. I can check, but i doubt anyone is interested much !

It's not surprising Hypatia is included, since the theme is about the triumph of philosophy.

Yes i have read what you mentioned too. I think there are not enough sources available to be able to say for sure about Hypatia.

The Jesuits are SO liberal today that i am not surprised they are claiming this story as the basis for the St Catherine of Alexandria Vita. Others, of course, have made the same claim over the centuries.

But WE KNOW St Catherine of Alexandria is a bona fide Saint with no connection to the philosopher Hypatia.

You know, I think the people who tout the latter's story are usually either feminist-leaning or at minimum, not in favor of Orthodoxy. These people, most likely generally New Age in bent, are searching for a NON-Christian role model so they latched on to the legend or historical account of Hypatia.

It's not easy to find a bona fide holy non-Christian feminine figure from that era, after all, so perhaps that's why Hypatia has been given such prominence by such sources.

Glad you brought this up, as that painting is a true masterpiece by one of the best European artists. [Personally, i have never cared for the work of Michelangelo or Leonardo da Vinci. What about other people's opinions ? I always disliked the Sistine Chapel paintings, whereas the many beautiful paintings of Our Lady by Raphael are comparatively much nicer.]

[sojourning_one]

You can read more about what happened to her in the book “St. Cyril of Alexandria: The Christological Controversy, Its History, Theology, and Texts” Pages 13-14.