Debating the Saints' Cults in the Age of Gregory the Great

In Debating the Saints' Cults in the Age of Gregory the Great, author Dal Santo explores the complexities surrounding Pope Gregory the Great's Dialogues, a significant yet controversial text that examines the nature of saints' miracles and the legitimacy of their cults. Dal Santo situates this work within a broader discourse that characterized early Byzantine society, highlighting that the discussions were not merely about faith but also involved critical scrutiny. Unlike a simplistic view of the early Byzantine world as entirely devout, the book reveals that many individuals engaged in questioning the narratives presented by hagiographers and other advocates of saintly miracles.

Dal Santo draws parallels between Gregory's Dialogues and other contemporary writings in Greek and Syriac, emphasizing that skepticism and rational inquiry were prevalent in the period. This perspective challenges the notion that the populace was uniformly gullible or credulous. Instead, the author illustrates how a vibrant culture of skepticism persisted from Italy to the Persian Empire, suggesting that this rationalism played a crucial role in shaping societal attitudes toward religious claims.

The book's conclusion posits that doubts regarding saints were not merely theological but also reflected broader political dissent within the late East Roman or Byzantine Empire. The patronage of saints' shrines often served to legitimize imperial authority, and questioning these figures could serve as a form of resistance. Dal Santo’s analysis also situates these debates within the context of the emergence of Islam in the Near East, offering a nuanced understanding of the interplay between faith, skepticism, and politics during this transformative period.