Identifying the "Unknown Scholiast" on the Mystical Experience of John Climacus
John M. Duffy
Studia Philologica Valentina January 26, 2026 DOI: 10.7203/sphv.27.32053 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Mystical experience |
| Key points | Argues that the anonymous scholiast discussed by O. Rodionov, alongside Michael Psellos and the Patriarch Photios, on a disputed passage in John Climacus's Ladder should be identified as Elias of Crete, author of an extensive commentary on the Ladder. |
Abstract
ABSTRACT: O. Rodionov recently discussed the work of three commentators on a much disputed passage in the Ladder of John Climacus, namely Michael Psellos, the Patriarch Photios, and an anonymous scholiast. The purpose of this article is to present arguments in favour of identifying that scholiast as Elias of Crete, the author of an extensive commentary on the Ladder. KEYWORDS: Rodionov, exegesis, John Climacus, Psellos, Photios, Elias of Crete RESUMEN: O. Rodionov analizó recientemente el trabajo de tres comentaristas sobre un pasaje muy controvertido de la Escala de Juan Clímaco: Miguel Psellos, el patriarca Focio y un escoliasta anónimo. El propósito de este artículo es presentar argumentos que apoyan la identificación de dicho escoliasta como Elías de Creta, autor de un extenso comentario sobre la Escala. PALABRAS CLAVE: Rodionov, comentario, Juan Clímaco, Psello, Focio, Elías de Creta
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on mystical experience, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Religious and Mystical Experiences as Artifacts of Temporal Lobe Function: A General Hypothesis | 1983 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| The Psychedelic Mystical Experience in the Human Encounter with Death | 1969 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Vectorial Cerebral Hemisphericity as Differential Sources for the Sensed Presence, Mystical Experiences and Religious Conversions | 1993 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| The epistemic innocence of psychedelic states. | 2016 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Mystical Experience and Religious Doctrine | 1982 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |