BOLLANDISTS Meaning and
Definition
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The Bollandists refer to a group of scholarly individuals who dedicated themselves to the critical study and analysis of hagiography, particularly the lives of saints. The term specifically refers to the members of the Society of Bollandists, a community of Jesuit priests founded in the 17th century, with their headquarters in Antwerp, Belgium.
The primary objective of the Bollandists was to authenticate and verify the historic accuracy and reliability of hagiographical texts. They aimed to sift through myths, legends, and embellishments, in order to establish the facts surrounding the lives of saints and martyrs. Their meticulous research involved examining original manuscripts, deciphering ancient languages, and comparing variant versions of texts to determine the most precise and accurate accounts.
The Bollandists systematically collected, analyzed, and compiled vast amounts of information, which they documented in the extensive Acta Sanctorum, their monumental magnum opus. These multi-volume publications encompassed the lives, virtues, and miracles ascribed to numerous saints, and included critical commentary, historical context, and scholarly analysis.
The work of the Bollandists had a significant impact on the field of religious studies, as their rigorous methodology and critical approach set new standards for hagiographical research. The Bollandists' dedication to scholarship and meticulous examination of texts contributed to a greater understanding of the history, culture, and religious traditions of the past, and continues to be a valuable resource for scholars and historians interested in the study of saints and hagiography.
Common Misspellings for BOLLANDISTS
- vollandists
- nollandists
- hollandists
- gollandists
- billandists
- bkllandists
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- bpllandists
- b0llandists
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- boklandists
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- bollzndists
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- bollwndists
Etymology of BOLLANDISTS
The word "Bollandists" is derived from the last name "Bolland" and the suffix "-ists". It is associated with the members of the Society of Bollandists, a group of Jesuit scholars and hagiographers who are responsible for the creation and maintenance of the Acta Sanctorum, a critical Latin work documenting the lives of Christian saints.
The name "Bollandists" comes from the prominent founder of the group, Jean Bolland (1596–1665), a Belgian Jesuit priest and scholar. Jean Bolland was known for his extensive research and critical analysis of hagiographic traditions, and he initiated the Acta Sanctorum project in the early 17th century. Over time, the term "Bollandists" came to be used to refer to the group of scholars continuing this work.
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