S. John. S. John Damascene, Doctor of the Church, was born at
Damascus about 676, and died some time between 754 and 787. The quotation is
from
,
which is the third part of the most important of all his works,
,
Fountain of Wisdom. This third part, The Orthodox Faith, to
which reference is made here, must be considered the most notable of all
writings of S. John Damascene, and it is in this treatise that he discloses
so comprehensive a knowledge of the astronomy of his day. It may be pointed
out that Sprenger regards the authority of S. John far too lightly, for the
Doctor's words carry great weight. The only complete edition of the works
of S. John Damascene is that by Michael Lequien, O.P., published at Paris,
1717, and Venice, 1748. Migne has reprinted this, Patres Græci,
XCIV-XCVI, with the addition of certain works by some attributed to the
same author.