The Symposium: A Treatise on Chastity (Banquet of the Ten Virgins)

Description

ZIP contains MP3s, which is probably the read-aloud version of William R. Clark's 1886 translation, also in ANF 6.

Unger (ref:19.14):

St. Methodius (d. 311) composed his beautiful Symposion , or The Banquet of the Ten Virgins , along classical lines [à la Plato's Symposium, ref:13.1ff.]. Ten virgins one after the other sing the praise of virginity. At the end St. Thecla sings a hymn of praise for Christ as Spouse of the Church.

Translation of Symposium decem virginum

Bibliographical references included in "Notes" (p. [163]-239)

Life -- Works -- The Symposium -- Outline of the Symposium -- The doctrines of the Symposium -- The text of the Symposium -- The possibility of a later orthodox Redactor of the Symposium -- Methodius and the scriptures -- Summary -- Text -- Prelude : Eubulion and Gregorion -- Logos 1 : Marcella. The place of chastity in the history of the redemption -- Logos 2 : Theophila. A defense of marriage -- Logos 3 : Thalia. Methodius' Christology. The Pauline doctrine on virginity -- Interlude 1 -- Logos 4 : Theopatra. The flood of sin -- Logos 5 : Thallusa. Allegorical variations on virginity -- Logos 6. Agathe. Chiefly on the parable of the wise and foolish virgins -- Logos 7. Procilla. The application of the canticle of canticles -- Logos 8 : Thecla. The ascent of the soul. Exegesis of Apoc. 12. On astrology and its evils -- Interlude II -- Logos 9 : Tusiane. Allegorical interpretation of the feast of tabernacles -- Interlude III -- Logos 10 : Domnina. Methodius' botanical exegesis : The symbolism of trees -- [Logos II:] The discourse of arete. Conclusion of the contest -- Thecla's hymn : An epithalamium on the wedding of Christ and the church -- Epilogue : Dialogue between Eubulion and the Gregorion on the value of Concupiscence for the practice of virtue. The essence of virtue

Ten wise virgins go to a drinking party at Philosophy's daughter's place. After they chow down and hang out under a willow tree, it's time to hear each other out on the subject of their mutual calling.

Afterwards, one of the virgins writes a letter about the party to her woman friend Gregorion, and Gregorion dines out on the story over at Euboulios' house. Which is where we come in....

St. Methodius of Olympus modelled this work after Plato's Symposium. Self-inserting himself as his normal POV character, Euboulios, of course.

Complete. For more information, please visit Maria Lectrix: public domain audiobook podcast – for people with catholic tastes.