Episode 74 - Dionysius Exiguus

Dionysius Exiguus, whose name would be translated today as "Dennis the Humble," was a 6th-century monk, scholar, and mathematician. While he may not be as well-known as some other figures from antiquity, his contributions to the world are profound and enduring. 

Transcript

Welcome to Giants of the Faith, the podcast where we explore the lives and legacies of remarkable individuals who have made an impact on the world for the Kingdom of Christ. I'm your host, Robert Daniels, and today we are looking at another figure that was recommended by a listener - Dionysius Exiguus. That listener happens to be my dad, so I'm dedicating this episode to him.

Dionysius Exiguus, whose name would be translated today as "Dennis the Humble," was a 6th-century monk, scholar, and mathematician. While he may not be as well-known as some other figures from antiquity, his contributions to the world are profound and enduring. Dionysius is best remembered for his role in devising the Anno Domini system, which revolutionized the way we reckon time, marking the pivotal moment of the birth of Jesus Christ. Dionysius was born around the year 470 AD in Scythia Minor, a region located in present-day Romania. Little is known about his early life, but it is believed that he entered a monastery at a young age, dedicating himself to a life of prayer, study, and contemplation.

Dionysius's scholarly pursuits extended beyond the confines of his monastery. He became proficient in various fields, including theology, mathematics, and astronomy. It was his expertise in these disciplines that caught the attention of Pope Gelasius I, who sought his counsel on matters related to the calculation of Easter, a crucial event in the Christian calendar. The issue of determining the date of Easter had long plagued the Christian Church, with different regions adopting different methods of calculation. Dionysius recognized the need for a universal system that could be applied consistently across all Christian communities. Drawing upon his knowledge of mathematics and astronomy, he set out to devise a standardized method for calculating the date of Easter.

He also was responsible for translating many works from Greek to Latin for the church - including canon law and decrees from the original Council of Nicea.  

But Dionysius's most enduring legacy would come in the form of the Anno Domini system. In the year 525 AD, he introduced a new dating system that centered around the birth of Jesus Christ, designating the year of His birth as "anno Domini," Latin for "in the year of our Lord." This marked a significant departure from previous dating systems, which were often based on the reigns of rulers or significant historical events. The Anno Domini system would gradually gain widespread acceptance throughout Christendom, largely thanks to the Venerable Bede a couple of hundred years later. We covered Bede way back in episode 46. AD eventually becoming the dominant method of dating used in the Western world.

We now believe that Dionysisus made a mistake with his date calculation. It is generally accepted that Jesus was born in 4 or 5 BC. The gospels tell us he was about 30 whenn he began his ministry and we know he was born when Herod the Great was still living. And we also know, or believe we know, that Herod died in 3 or 4 BC. Something to think about the next time you hear a dispensatioanlist make wild predictions based on our current calendar. Anyway, Dionysius's calculations, while not entirely accurate by modern standards, laid the groundwork for the dating system that we still use today.

Despite his profound contributions to the field of chronology, Dionysius Exiguus remains a somewhat enigmatic figure, shrouded in mystery and obscurity. The exact details of his life are scarce, and much of what we know about him comes from scattered references in historical texts and manuscripts. Yet, in spite of the challenges posed by the passage of time, Dionysius Exiguus's legacy endures as a testament to the power of one individual to shape the course of history. His humble efforts to bring order to the chaos of time have left an indelible mark on the world, reminding us that even the most seemingly insignificant figures can leave a lasting impact on the tapestry of human history.

Thanks very much for listening. Until next time, God bless.