Simboli, modelli narrativi e miracoli sui pesci tra agiografia e culto dei santi

Abstract

Since the first centuries of Christianity, the symbol of the fish (ΙΧΘΥΣ) has been used to define Christ but also as a mark of his followers. At the same time, a lot of evangelical episodes are related to fishes: the miraculous catch – also linked to the calling of the apostles –, the multiplication of loaves and fishes, or the coin found by Peter in the fish’s mouth. These episodes, and others not specifically related to the Gospels, are used in hagiographic tradition and in the cult of a great number of saints. The aim of this paper is to analyse the way in which these Biblical narrative models are modified and used in hagiographical texts. In addition to this issue, we will also take into consideration other episodes related to fishes: miracles regarding people who risked choking on fishbones; the role of fishes in mystical experiences; fishes miraculously resurrected. The objective is to present the role and function of these animals in hagiographic tradition, particularly in relation to miracles. For this paper we will use a lot of hagiographical texts, analysed from historical, literary and anthropological points of view, in a long-term perspective, from the Early Middle Ages to the Modern Era, to highlight the wide diffusion and persistence of these models.