"It is not lawful for Samaritans to have dealings with Christians!" Samaritans in the Life of Barsauma

Hahn Johannes

Abstract

The Life narrates two encounters of Barsauma with Samaritans on his travels through Palestine, placed in Samaria-Sebaste and in a Samaritan village respectively. These episodes offer an unexpected perspective on the monk: they depict him, unlike in his dealings with pagans and Jews, as a peaceful agent who proselytizes members of this religious minority through theological dialogue and miracles alone. A passing topographical detail, the aqueduct of Samaria, lends an authentic ring to one episode. More importantly, the tranquil atmosphere of these encounters provide a strong argument for an early date of the Life: it is hardly conceivable that the positive picture of Barsauma's Samaritans could have been drawn after the outbreak of the Samaritan revolts in the later fifth century with its massacres and religious persecution.