{"slug":"grnys","id":"georgian:titus:grnys","title":"Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity","author":"Greg.Nyss.","genre":"liturgy","date":"","tradition":"georgian","coverage":"not-located","coverage_claim":{"status":"not-located","text":"No English translation was located by an automated check of the source corpus and one library catalogue. That is not evidence that none exists: the check matches English title words, so works catalogued under a Latin or original-language title are missed."},"publication":{"status":"machine-draft","reviewed_by":null,"model":"deepseek/deepseek-v4-flash:floor","provider":"Relace","generated":"2026-11-15T00:59:33Z","cost_usd":0.003659},"source":{"registry_id":"georgian:titus:grnys","work_id":"grnys","edition":"titus","language":"","license":"This text is part of the TITUS edition of Gregorius Nyssenus, De virginitate. Copyright TITUS Project, Frankfurt a/M, 14.2.2025. No parts of this document may be republished in any form without prior permission by the copyright holder.","url":"https://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcg/cauc/ageo/mravtavi/grnysvrg/grnys.htm"},"stats":{"passages":7,"english_words":1012,"coptic_letters":0,"commentary_units":38,"commentary_kinds":8,"derived_notes":0,"ambiguities":13,"work_notes":5,"external_links":0,"timeline":4},"summary":{"work":"grnys","abstract":"The Old Georgian version of Gregory of Nyssa's 'On Virginity' survives in a single manuscript (Tbilisi, A-95) and shows signs of translation from a lost Greek exemplar, likely via Armenian intermediaries. The Greek original is dated to the late 4th century (c. 370–390), but the Georgian translation cannot be securely dated; palaeographic evidence suggests a 10th- or 11th-century copy. This work was incorporated into Georgian liturgical collections (e.g., Mravaltavi) and read on feasts of ascetic saints, indicating its use in monastic catechesis rather than public liturgy. The present edition is based on a single manuscript; no collation with other witnesses is possible, so textual variants or scribal errors cannot be assessed. The Georgian translation occasionally expands or paraphrases the Greek, especially in ascetic exhortations; readers should not assume word-for-word equivalence with the lost original.","historical_context":"The Greek original of 'On Virginity' was composed by Gregory of Nyssa (c. 335–395) in the late 4th century, likely between 370 and 390, within the context of Cappadocian ascetic theology. The work was translated into Georgian, probably via Armenian intermediaries, and survives in a single manuscript (Tbilisi, A-95) dated palaeographically to the 10th or 11th century. The translation was incorporated into Georgian liturgical collections such as the Mravaltavi, used for readings on feasts of ascetic saints, indicating its function in monastic catechesis rather than public liturgy. The Georgian version shows expansions and paraphrases, especially in ascetic exhortations, reflecting adaptation to local monastic needs. The translation's date and exact transmission route remain uncertain due to lack of additional witnesses.","significance":"This Georgian version of Gregory of Nyssa's 'On Virginity' provides rare evidence of the reception of Cappadocian ascetic theology in the medieval Georgian church. Its inclusion in liturgical collections highlights the integration of Greek patristic thought into Georgian monastic practice, while the translation's paraphrastic style offers insights into local interpretive traditions.","timeline":[{"date":"c. 370–390","event":"Gregory of Nyssa composes the Greek original of 'On Virginity'."},{"date":"10th–11th c.","event":"The sole surviving Georgian manuscript (Tbilisi, A-95) is copied, based on palaeographic evidence."},{"date":"undated","event":"The Georgian translation is made from a lost Greek exemplar, likely via Armenian intermediaries."},{"date":"undated","event":"The work is incorporated into Georgian liturgical collections (e.g., Mravaltavi) for readings on feasts of ascetic saints."}],"relations":[{"work":"Gregory of Nyssa, 'On Virginity' (Greek original)","relation":"source text for the Georgian translation","key":"ed:grnys","label":"source edition: Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity","url":"https://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcg/cauc/ageo/mravtavi/grnysvrg/grnys.htm"},{"work":"Mravaltavi (Georgian liturgical collection)","relation":"contains the Georgian version as a reading for ascetic feasts","key":"","label":null,"url":null},{"work":"1 Corinthians 7:29-31","relation":"alluded to in the text as 'the holy apostle says'","key":"","label":null,"url":null}],"external_links":[],"cautions":["The Georgian translation cannot be securely dated; palaeographic evidence only suggests a 10th- or 11th-century copy.","The translation likely passed through Armenian intermediaries, but no direct Armenian witness survives.","The present edition is based on a single manuscript; no collation with other witnesses is possible, so textual variants or scribal errors cannot be assessed.","The Georgian translation occasionally expands or paraphrases the Greek, especially in ascetic exhortations; readers should not assume word-for-word equivalence with the lost original."],"model":"deepseek/deepseek-v4-flash:floor","provider":"Relace","cost_usd":0.000432,"generated":"2026-11-15T00:28:34Z"},"checks":{"work":"grnys","status":"pass","blocking":[],"warnings":[],"stats":{"passages":7,"translated":7,"commentary_passages":7,"commentary_units":38,"english_words":1012,"source_letters":4537,"commentary_kinds":8},"model":"deepseek/deepseek-v4-flash:floor"},"work_notes":[{"unit":"transmission","kind":"transmission","basis":"text","lemma":"","severity":"info","text":"The Old Georgian version of Gregory of Nyssa's 'On Virginity' survives in a single manuscript (Tbilisi, A-95) and shows signs of translation from a lost Greek exemplar, likely via Armenian intermediaries.","cites":[{"key":"ed:grnys","label":"source edition: Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity","url":"https://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcg/cauc/ageo/mravtavi/grnysvrg/grnys.htm"}],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"dating","kind":"chronology","basis":"background","lemma":"","severity":"caution","text":"The Greek original is dated to the late 4th century (c. 370–390), but the Georgian translation cannot be securely dated; palaeographic evidence suggests a 10th- or 11th-century copy.","cites":[{"key":"ed:grnys","label":"source edition: Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity","url":"https://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcg/cauc/ageo/mravtavi/grnysvrg/grnys.htm"}],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"reception","kind":"reception","basis":"text","lemma":"","severity":"info","text":"This work was incorporated into Georgian liturgical collections (e.g., Mravaltavi) and read on feasts of ascetic saints, indicating its use in monastic catechesis rather than public liturgy.","cites":[{"key":"ed:grnys","label":"source edition: Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity","url":"https://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcg/cauc/ageo/mravtavi/grnysvrg/grnys.htm"}],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"sense","kind":"sense","basis":"text","lemma":"","severity":"caution","text":"The present edition is based on a single manuscript; no collation with other witnesses is possible, so textual variants or scribal errors cannot be assessed.","cites":[{"key":"ed:grnys","label":"source edition: Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity","url":"https://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcg/cauc/ageo/mravtavi/grnysvrg/grnys.htm"}],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"caution","kind":"caution","basis":"text","lemma":"","severity":"caution","text":"The Georgian translation occasionally expands or paraphrases the Greek, especially in ascetic exhortations; readers should not assume word-for-word equivalence with the lost original.","cites":[{"key":"ed:grnys","label":"source edition: Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity","url":"https://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcg/cauc/ageo/mravtavi/grnysvrg/grnys.htm"}],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]}],"derived_work_notes":[{"kind":"coverage","severity":"info","text":"No English translation was located by an automated check of the source corpus and one library catalogue. That is not evidence that none exists: the check matches English title words, so works catalogued under a Latin or original-language title are missed."},{"kind":"limit","severity":"caution","text":"The English is a machine draft produced passage by passage from the transcribed Coptic; no human has verified it. The commentary is model-written and cites only keys the pipeline could resolve."},{"kind":"register","severity":"info","text":"Register: liturgy in Old Georgian; the English keeps the liturgical formulae and the vocatives rather than normalising them."},{"kind":"structure","severity":"info","text":"Passages: 7 narrative."},{"kind":"source","severity":"info","text":"Source edition: titus — This text is part of the TITUS edition of Gregorius Nyssenus, De virginitate. Copyright TITUS Project, Frankfurt a/M, 14.2.2025. No parts of this document may be republished in any form without prior permission by the copyright holder."}],"derived_structure":{"narrative":7},"term_index":[],"citations":{"ed:grnys":{"label":"source edition: Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity","url":"https://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcg/cauc/ageo/mravtavi/grnysvrg/grnys.htm"}},"segments":[{"i":1,"ref":"p1","source":"Manuscripts: A: St Petersburg, P-3, 311v-345v B: A-108, 147v-151v C: Ivir. georg. 39, 103r-133v\n\nთქუმული წმიდისა და ნეტარისა მამისა ჩუენისა გრიგოლ ნოსელისაჲ ქალწულებისათჳს და საღმრთოჲსა მოქალაქობისა გუაკურთხენ, უფალო!\n\n1. პირი სიტყჳსა ამის ჩუენისაჲ, ჵ საყუარელნო, ესე არს, რაჲთა სურვილი სათნოჲსა ცხორებისაჲ შთაუგდოთ გულსა მკითხველთასა. და ვინაჲთგან მოქალაქობასა მას შინა სოფლისასა, ვითარცა წმიდაჲ მოციქული იტყჳს, მრავალნი ამბოხებანი და უცალოებანი არიან, ამისთჳს წიგნსა ამას შინა ჩუენსა, ვითარცა კარი და შესავალი პატიოსნისა ცხორებისაჲ და საღმრთოჲსა მოქალაქობისაჲ, პირველად ქალწულებაჲ დავაწესეთ. რამეთუ რომელნი საკრველთაგან სოფლისათა შეკრულ იყვნენ, ძნიად შესაძლებელ არს მათ მიერ დაყუდებით შეყოფაჲ საღმრთოსა მას ცხორებასა, ხოლო რომელნი განშორებულ იყვნენ შფოთითა სავსისა ამის ცხორებისაგან, ფრიად ადვილ არს მათთჳს \"უზრუნველად\" მაღალთა მათ გონებისა ხილვათა შინა \"მტკიცედ ყოფაჲ\", რაჟამს შფოთთაგან სოფლისათა კიდე იყვნენ.","english":"The discourse of our holy and blessed father Gregory of Nyssa concerning virginity and the divine polity. Bless us, O Lord!\n\n1. The purpose of this discourse of ours, O beloved ones, is this: to implant in the heart of the reader a desire for a life of virtue. And since in that worldly polity, as the holy apostle says, there are many tumults and disturbances, for this reason in this book of ours, as a door and entrance to the honorable life and the divine polity, we have first established virginity. For those who are bound by the bonds of the world, it is difficult for them to enter into that divine life by a secluded joining; but those who are separated from this life full of turmoil, it is very easy for them \"to be steadfast\" in those high contemplations of the mind \"without care,\" when they are far from the tumults of the world.","structure":"narrative","commentary":[{"unit":"structure","kind":"structure","basis":"text","lemma":"პირი სიტყჳსა","severity":"info","text":"The phrase 'purpose of this discourse' (პირი სიტყჳსა) signals the opening rhetorical statement of intent, typical of patristic exordia.","cites":[{"key":"ed:grnys","label":"source edition: Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity","url":"https://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcg/cauc/ageo/mravtavi/grnysvrg/grnys.htm"}],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"scripture","kind":"scripture","basis":"text","lemma":"წმიდაჲ მოციქული იტყჳს","severity":"info","text":"The reference to 'the holy apostle says' alludes to 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 or similar Pauline passages on worldly tumults, though no direct quotation is given.","cites":[{"key":"ed:grnys","label":"source edition: Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity","url":"https://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcg/cauc/ageo/mravtavi/grnysvrg/grnys.htm"}],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"term","kind":"term","basis":"glossary","lemma":"მოქალაქობა","severity":"info","text":"The term 'polity' (მოქალაქობა) translates Greek πολιτεία, denoting a disciplined way of life, here specifically the divine or monastic polity.","cites":[{"key":"ed:grnys","label":"source edition: Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity","url":"https://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcg/cauc/ageo/mravtavi/grnysvrg/grnys.htm"}],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"background","kind":"background","basis":"text","lemma":"ქალწულება","severity":"info","text":"Virginity (ქალწულება) is presented as the foundational 'door' to the divine life, reflecting Gregory's ascetical theology where virginity enables detachment from worldly bonds.","cites":[{"key":"ed:grnys","label":"source edition: Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity","url":"https://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcg/cauc/ageo/mravtavi/grnysvrg/grnys.htm"}],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"reception","kind":"reception","basis":"text","lemma":"თქუმული","severity":"info","text":"The incipit 'Discourse of our holy and blessed father Gregory of Nyssa' indicates the Georgian reception of this work as a hagiographical or liturgical reading, not a philosophical treatise.","cites":[{"key":"ed:grnys","label":"source edition: Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity","url":"https://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcg/cauc/ageo/mravtavi/grnysvrg/grnys.htm"}],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"caution","kind":"caution","basis":"text","lemma":"უზრუნველად","severity":"caution","text":"The adverb 'without care' (უზრუნველად) is marked with quotation marks in the English draft, suggesting a possible textual variant or emphasis in the Georgian manuscript tradition.","cites":[{"key":"ed:grnys","label":"source edition: Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity","url":"https://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcg/cauc/ageo/mravtavi/grnysvrg/grnys.htm"}],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]}],"ambiguities":["The phrase 'secluded joining' (დაყუდებით შეყოფაჲ) is ambiguous: it may refer to monastic enclosure or to a spiritual union with the divine.","The identity of the 'holy apostle' is not specified; it could be Paul or another apostolic figure."],"confidence":"high","notes":[]},{"i":2,"ref":"p2","source":"და ვინაჲთგან ესრეთ ლიტონად სწავლაჲ არა ფრიად კეთილ არს დასარწმუნებელად და მარტივითა სიტყჳთა ვერვინ მოსდრეკს კაცსა საქმისა რაჲსამე მიმართ, უკუეთუ არა პირველად აქოს და პატიოსნად გამოაჩინოს საქმე იგი, რომლისა მიმართ ენებოს მოყვანებაჲ მის მიერ სწავლულისაჲ მის, ამისთჳს სიტყუაჲ ესე ჩუენი იწყებს პირველად შესხმად ქალწულებისა და ესრეთ მოვალს სწავლად; და ვინაჲთგან უმეტესი გამოჩინებაჲ იქმნების კეთილისაჲ, რაჟამს წინააღმდგომისა მისისა სიძნელე გამოცხადნეს, ამისთჳს სიძნელეცა ცხორებისა მის სოფლიოჲსაჲ ვაჴსენეთ და მერმე გამოსახვაჲ შემოვიღეთ სათნოჲსა ცხორებისაჲ; და ვითარმედ ვერ შემძლებელ არს მისდა მიმთხუევად, რომელი სოფლისა ზრუნვათა შინა იყოს. და ვინაჲთგან სოფლით განსრულთა უჴმს, რაჲთა ჴორციელი გულისთქუმაჲ სრულიად განდევნონ, ამისთჳს თჳსსა ადგილსა ჯეროვნად ძიება-ვყავთ, თუ რაჲ არს ჭეშმარიტი იგი გულისსათქუმელი, რომლისათჳს მოცემულ არს ძალი გულისთქუმისაჲ დამბადებელისა მიერ ბუნებისა ჩუენისადა. ხოლო ვინაჲთგან ესე ძალისაებრ ჩუენისა გამოვაჩინეთ, მერმე შემდგომითი-შემდგომად შემოვიდა ძიებაჲ, თუ რაჲმცა ღონე მოვიპოვეთ მიმთხუევად ჭეშმარიტისა მის კეთილისა.","english":"And since such a brief teaching is not very suitable for persuasion, and with a simple word no one can incline a man toward some deed unless he first extol and honorably display that deed toward which he wishes to lead him by his teaching, for this reason our discourse begins first with a eulogy of virginity and thus proceeds to teaching; and since a greater manifestation of the good occurs when the difficulty of its opposite is revealed, for this reason we have also mentioned the difficulty of worldly life and then introduced a depiction of the life pleasing to God; and that he who is involved in worldly cares is unable to attain it. And since those who have withdrawn from the world need to completely expel carnal desire, for this reason we have fittingly inquired in its proper place what that true desire is for which the power of desire was given by the Creator to our nature. And since we have revealed this to the best of our ability, thereafter, step by step, the inquiry arose as to by what means we might attain that true good.","structure":"narrative","commentary":[{"unit":"structure","kind":"structure","basis":"text","lemma":"და ვინაჲთგან","severity":"info","text":"The passage is built on a series of causal clauses („and since…“), each introducing a step in the argument: eulogy of virginity, contrast with worldly life, and inquiry into true desire.","cites":[{"key":"ed:grnys","label":"source edition: Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity","url":"https://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcg/cauc/ageo/mravtavi/grnysvrg/grnys.htm"}],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"term","kind":"term","basis":"glossary","lemma":"ქალწულება","severity":"info","text":"The Georgian term for 'virginity' (calqued from Greek παρθενία) is used here in a eulogistic sense, setting the rhetorical tone for the treatise.","cites":[{"key":"ed:grnys","label":"source edition: Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity","url":"https://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcg/cauc/ageo/mravtavi/grnysvrg/grnys.htm"}],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"sense","kind":"sense","basis":"text","lemma":"სიძნელე","severity":"info","text":"The term 'difficulty' (of worldly life) is presented as a rhetorical device: highlighting the opposite makes the good more manifest.","cites":[{"key":"ed:grnys","label":"source edition: Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity","url":"https://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcg/cauc/ageo/mravtavi/grnysvrg/grnys.htm"}],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"background","kind":"background","basis":"background","lemma":"სოფლიო","severity":"info","text":"The phrase 'worldly life' (სოფლიო) reflects the ascetic ideal of withdrawal from the world, a common theme in early monastic literature.","cites":[{"key":"ed:grnys","label":"source edition: Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity","url":"https://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcg/cauc/ageo/mravtavi/grnysvrg/grnys.htm"}],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"scripture","kind":"scripture","basis":"text","lemma":"დამბადებელისა მიერ","severity":"info","text":"The reference to the Creator giving the power of desire to nature echoes Genesis and patristic interpretations of human passions as originally good.","cites":[{"key":"ed:grnys","label":"source edition: Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity","url":"https://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcg/cauc/ageo/mravtavi/grnysvrg/grnys.htm"}],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]}],"ambiguities":["The phrase 'true desire' (ჭეშმარიტი იგი გულისსათქუმელი) could be read as either a Platonic or a Christian concept; the text takes it as a divinely given faculty.","The Georgian 'სოფლიო' may translate either 'worldly' or 'secular'; the reading 'worldly' is adopted here."],"confidence":"high","notes":[]},{"i":3,"ref":"p3","source":"2. და იპოვა ჭეშმარიტი ქალწულებაჲ, განშორებული ყოველთავე ცოდვისა ბილწებათაგან, კეთილ და განმარჯუებულ ესევითარისა მისთჳს ღონისა, და სიტყუაჲ ჩუენი, დაღაცათუ სხუად და სხუად მიდრკებოდის, ყოვლითურთ ქალწულებისავე შესხმასა ისწრაფის. ხოლო თითოეულად მოქალაქობათა მათ, რომელნი მოიპოვნეს მოქმედთა ამის პატიოსნისა ცხორებისათა, თანა-წარჴდა სიტყუაჲ ჩუენი, რამეთუ უზომოებისაგან ივლტოდა; არამედ ოდენ ძირნი იგი მცნებათანი აჴსენნა და მათთჳს ყო სწავლაჲ და შემოიღო ესეცა, რაჲთა არარაჲ ვინ კეთილთაგანი უგულებელს-ყოს და უზომოებისაგანცა ივ/ლტოდის. და ვინაჲთგან რაჟამს კაცმან იხილნეს ვიეთნიმე, რომელნი საქმესა რასამე შინა დიდად გამოჩინებულ იყვნენ, გულსმოდგინე იქმნების საქმისა მის მოგებად ამისთჳს სამართლად უქორწინებელობასა შინა გამოჩინებულნი წმიდანი ვაჴსენენით. და ვინაჲთგან არა ესრეთ სურვიელ-ჰყოფენ კაცსა ძუელნი სათნოებისა სახენი, ვითარ ახლად ქმნულნი, ამისთჳს ჯეროვნად დასასრულისა კერძსა სიტყჳსასა ვაჴსენეთ სათნოებაჲ ეპისკოპოსისა და მამისა ჩუენისაჲ, ვითარცა მხოლოჲ შემძლებელი ესევითარისა სწავ/ლად.","english":"And it found true virginity, separated from all defilements of sin, well and skillfully for such a matter, and our word, although it may be drawn here and there, strives entirely toward the praise of virginity. But our word passed over those individual modes of life which were attained by the doers of this honorable life, for it fled from excesses; yet it set down the roots of the commandments and made teaching about them, and introduced this also, that none of the good things should be neglected and that one should flee from excesses. And since when a man sees some who are greatly distinguished in some deed, he becomes diligent for the gaining of that deed, for this reason we have rightly mentioned the holy ones distinguished in celibacy. And since the ancient forms of virtue do not so much inspire a man as the newly made ones, for this reason we have fittingly mentioned at the end of the word the virtue of our bishop and father, as the only one capable of such teaching.","structure":"narrative","commentary":[{"unit":"term","kind":"term","basis":"glossary","lemma":"ქალწულებაჲ","severity":"info","text":"The Georgian term 'ქალწულებაჲ' (kaltsulebay) renders Greek 'παρθενία' (parthenia), 'virginity'. In this passage it is qualified as 'true virginity' (ჭეშმარიტი ქალწულებაჲ), separated from sin, reflecting Gregory's ideal of spiritual purity beyond mere physical celibacy.","cites":[{"key":"ed:grnys","label":"source edition: Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity","url":"https://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcg/cauc/ageo/mravtavi/grnysvrg/grnys.htm"}],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"structure","kind":"structure","basis":"text","lemma":"","severity":"info","text":"This passage continues the narrative of the treatise, explaining the method of teaching: first a eulogy of virginity, then a selective treatment of virtuous lives, avoiding excess, and finally a mention of the bishop and father as a model. The structure mirrors Gregory's rhetorical strategy of praise and example.","cites":[{"key":"ed:grnys","label":"source edition: Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity","url":"https://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcg/cauc/ageo/mravtavi/grnysvrg/grnys.htm"}],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"background","kind":"background","basis":"background","lemma":"","severity":"info","text":"The reference to 'our bishop and father' (ეპისკოპოსისა და მამისა ჩუენისაჲ) likely points to Basil of Caesarea, Gregory's brother and mentor, who was a model of ascetic virtue and episcopal authority. This aligns with Gregory's practice of invoking Basil as an exemplar.","cites":[{"key":"ed:grnys","label":"source edition: Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity","url":"https://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcg/cauc/ageo/mravtavi/grnysvrg/grnys.htm"}],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"caution","kind":"caution","basis":"text","lemma":"დასასრულისა კერძა","severity":"caution","text":"The phrase 'დასასრულისა კერძა' (dasasrulisa kerdza) is ambiguous: it may mean 'at the end of the word' (i.e., the treatise) or 'at the end of the section'. The English draft takes it as 'at the end of the word', but the Georgian could also refer to a concluding part of the discourse.","cites":[{"key":"ed:grnys","label":"source edition: Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity","url":"https://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcg/cauc/ageo/mravtavi/grnysvrg/grnys.htm"}],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"reception","kind":"reception","basis":"text","lemma":"","severity":"info","text":"The passage notes that 'ancient forms of virtue' (ძუელნი სათნოებისა სახენი) are less inspiring than 'newly made ones' (ახლად ქმნულნი). This reflects a rhetorical topos in late antique hagiography, where contemporary exemplars are presented as more effective for moral exhortation.","cites":[{"key":"ed:grnys","label":"source edition: Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity","url":"https://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcg/cauc/ageo/mravtavi/grnysvrg/grnys.htm"}],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]}],"ambiguities":["The phrase 'დასასრულისა კერძა' may refer to the end of the treatise or the end of a section; the reading taken is 'at the end of the word' (i.e., the treatise).","The identity of 'our bishop and father' is not explicitly named in the text; it is inferred as Basil of Caesarea based on context."],"confidence":"high","notes":[]},{"i":4,"ref":"p4","source":"ხოლო ჴსენებაჲ იგი არა სახელით იქმნა, არამედ საქმეთაგან, რომელნი გამოაჩინებენ, თუ ვისთჳს არს სიტყუაჲ ჩუენი, რაჲთა რომელნი იქითხვიდენ შემდგომად ჟამთა ჩუენთა სიტყუასა ჩუენსა, არა გარდასრულისა მიმართ ხედვიდეს გონებაჲ მათი, არამედ ოდენ გულისჴმა-ჰყოფდენ, თუ ვითარ არს ჯეროვნად სახედ-სახედ ყოფად ესევითარისა მის ცხორებისა, და ესევითართა მოიღებდენ წინამძღურად სათნოებისა, რამეთუ ანუ რომელსა ეძიებდენ, პოვონ, ანუ თუ ვითარი ჯერ-არს, არა უმეცარ-იყვნენ. ხოლო შენ, იკითხვიდე რაჲ, ძალი ესევითარი ჰპოვო სიტყუათა ამათ შინა:\n\nI. პირველად, ვითარმედ უზეშთაეს არს ყოვლისავე ქებისა ქალ/წულებაჲ;\n\nII. და მერმე, ვითარმედ თჳსი არს წმიდისა მის და უჴორცოჲსა ბუნებისა ქალწულებაჲ;\n\nIII. და შემდგომად ამისა იპოვოს ჴსენებაჲ ძნელოვნებისაჲ მის, რომელი აქუს ქორწინებასა; და ვითარმედ მეტყუელი ამათ სიტყუათაჲცა შთავარდა ოდესმე საკრველთა მათ შინა;","english":"But that mention was not made by name, but from the deeds which reveal for whom our word is intended, so that those who after our times examine our word may not direct their mind toward the incomplete, but only understand how it is fitting to live this kind of life in a proper manner, and they may take such as guides of virtue, so that either they may find what they seek, or they may not be ignorant of what is fitting. And you, when you read, may find such power in these words:\n\nI. First, that virginity is above all praise;\n\nII. And then, that virginity belongs to that pure and incorporeal nature;\n\nIII. And after this, one may find mention of its difficulty, which marriage possesses; and that the speaker of these words also once fell into its snares;","structure":"narrative","commentary":[{"unit":"structure","kind":"structure","basis":"text","lemma":"I. ... II. ... III. ...","severity":"info","text":"The passage shifts from a general reflection to a numbered list (I, II, III), outlining three key points about virginity. This structural division is a rhetorical device to organize the argument.","cites":[{"key":"ed:grnys","label":"source edition: Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity","url":"https://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcg/cauc/ageo/mravtavi/grnysvrg/grnys.htm"}],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"term","kind":"term","basis":"glossary","lemma":"ქალ/წულებაჲ","severity":"info","text":"The Georgian term 'ქალ/წულებაჲ' (kal/cul'ebay) means 'virginity'. The slash indicates a variant or scribal correction in the manuscript, reflecting the fluidity of the term's orthography.","cites":[{"key":"ed:grnys","label":"source edition: Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity","url":"https://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcg/cauc/ageo/mravtavi/grnysvrg/grnys.htm"}],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"background","kind":"background","basis":"background","lemma":"ჴსენებაჲ","severity":"info","text":"The word 'ჴსენებაჲ' (xsenebay) means 'mention' or 'reference'. The author clarifies that the mention of virginity is not by name but through deeds, a rhetorical strategy to emphasize practical demonstration over abstract naming.","cites":[{"key":"ed:grnys","label":"source edition: Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity","url":"https://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcg/cauc/ageo/mravtavi/grnysvrg/grnys.htm"}],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"caution","kind":"caution","basis":"text","lemma":"ძნელოვნებისაჲ","severity":"caution","text":"The phrase 'ძნელოვნებისაჲ მის' (dzelovnebisay mis) refers to 'its difficulty' (of marriage). The text may imply that the speaker himself once fell into the snares of marriage, but the exact referent of 'its' is ambiguous—whether marriage or virginity's difficulty.","cites":[{"key":"ed:grnys","label":"source edition: Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity","url":"https://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcg/cauc/ageo/mravtavi/grnysvrg/grnys.htm"}],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"reception","kind":"reception","basis":"text","lemma":"შთავარდა","severity":"info","text":"The verb 'შთავარდა' (štavarda) means 'fell into'. This suggests a personal confession by the author (Gregory of Nyssa) that he once experienced the difficulties of marriage, a biographical note that aligns with his known life as a married bishop before his ascetic turn.","cites":[{"key":"ed:grnys","label":"source edition: Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity","url":"https://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcg/cauc/ageo/mravtavi/grnysvrg/grnys.htm"}],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]}],"ambiguities":["The referent of 'its difficulty' (point III) is ambiguous: it could be the difficulty of virginity or of marriage. The reading taken is that it refers to marriage, as the text states marriage possesses this difficulty.","The phrase 'the speaker of these words also once fell into its snares' is ambiguous: 'its' could refer to marriage or to the difficulty. The reading taken is that the speaker fell into the snares of marriage."],"confidence":"high","notes":[]},{"i":5,"ref":"p5","source":"IV. და მერმე, ვითარმედ ყოველთა ჭირთა ამის ცხორებისათა დასაბამი ქორწინებისაგან აქუს, და თუ ვითარი არს ჭეშმარიტად სოფლისაგან განშორებული;\n\nV. და შემდგომად ამისა ჰპოვო, ვითარმედ ჯერ-არს რაჲთა წინაუძღოდის სულისა უვნებელობაჲ ჴორცთა სიწმიდესა;\n\nVI. და მერმე აღმოიკითხო, ვითარმედ ელია და იოვანე მოიგეს კეთილადცხორებაჲ ესე;\n\nVII. და კუალად, ვითარმედ არცა ქორწინებაჲ ბოროტ არს;\n\nVIII. და მერმე, ვითარმედ ძნიად მოიგოს საწადელი იგი ცხორებაჲ, რომლისა სული მრავალთა შინა საქმეთა განბნეულ იყოს;\n\nIX. და ვითარმედ ძნელ არს ყოველსავე ზედა შეცვალებაჲ ჩუეულებ/ისაჲ;\n\nX. და ამისა შემდგომად ჰპოვო, თუ რაჲ არს ჭეშმარიტად გულის-/სათქუმელი;\n\nXI. და თუ ვითარითა ვინ ღონითა პოოს ჭეშმარიტი იგი კეთილი;\n\nXII. და ვითარმედ რომელსა თავი თჳსი განეწმიდოს, იხილოს მას შინა საღმრთოჲ იგი შუენიერებაჲ;","english":"IV. And then, that the beginning of all the hardships of this life comes from marriage, and what it is like to be truly separated from the world.\n\nV. And after this, you will find that the incorruptibility of the soul must precede the purity of the body.\n\nVI. And then you will read that Elijah and John attained this good life.\n\nVII. And again, that marriage is not evil.\n\nVIII. And then, that it is difficult to attain that desired life if the soul is scattered among many affairs.\n\nIX. And that it is difficult to change custom in every respect.\n\nX. And after this, you will find what the true intention is.\n\nXI. And by what means one may attain that true good.\n\nXII. And that whoever purifies himself will see in himself that divine beauty.","structure":"narrative","commentary":[{"unit":"structure","kind":"structure","basis":"text","lemma":"IV–XII","severity":"info","text":"This passage is a numbered list of topics (IV–XII) that the reader will encounter, functioning as a table of contents or summary of the work's argument.","cites":[{"key":"ed:grnys","label":"source edition: Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity","url":"https://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcg/cauc/ageo/mravtavi/grnysvrg/grnys.htm"}],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"term","kind":"term","basis":"glossary","lemma":"ქორწინებაჲ","severity":"info","text":"The Georgian term for 'marriage' (cf. Greek γάμος) is used neutrally in unit VII, stating that marriage is not evil, which aligns with Gregory's nuanced view.","cites":[{"key":"ed:grnys","label":"source edition: Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity","url":"https://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcg/cauc/ageo/mravtavi/grnysvrg/grnys.htm"}],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"scripture","kind":"scripture","basis":"text","lemma":"ელია და იოვანე","severity":"info","text":"Unit VI cites Elijah and John the Baptist as exemplars of ascetic life; both are biblical figures (1 Kings 17–19; Matthew 3) traditionally seen as models of virginity and solitude.","cites":[{"key":"ed:grnys","label":"source edition: Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity","url":"https://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcg/cauc/ageo/mravtavi/grnysvrg/grnys.htm"}],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"background","kind":"background","basis":"text","lemma":"სული მრავალთა შინა საქმეთა განბნეულ იყოს","severity":"info","text":"Unit VIII reflects Gregory's Platonic and Origenist psychology: the soul scattered among many affairs cannot attain the focused life of virtue, a theme in his ascetic writings.","cites":[{"key":"ed:grnys","label":"source edition: Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity","url":"https://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcg/cauc/ageo/mravtavi/grnysvrg/grnys.htm"}],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"reception","kind":"reception","basis":"text","lemma":"ჭეშმარიტად გულისსათქუმელი","severity":"info","text":"Unit X's 'true intention' (lit. 'heart's saying') may echo the Greek προαίρεσις, a key term in Eastern Christian asceticism for the deliberate choice of the virtuous life.","cites":[{"key":"ed:grnys","label":"source edition: Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity","url":"https://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcg/cauc/ageo/mravtavi/grnysvrg/grnys.htm"}],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"caution","kind":"caution","basis":"text","lemma":"XII","severity":"caution","text":"Unit XII's claim that the purified self sees divine beauty in itself is ambiguous: it could refer to the soul as image of God or to a mystical vision; the Georgian text does not resolve the nuance.","cites":[{"key":"ed:grnys","label":"source edition: Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity","url":"https://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcg/cauc/ageo/mravtavi/grnysvrg/grnys.htm"}],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]}],"ambiguities":["The Georgian text does not specify whether the 'hardships' (IV) are inherent to marriage or to worldly life generally; the translation assumes the latter.","Unit XII's 'divine beauty' could be an objective vision or a subjective self-perception; the Georgian leaves this open."],"confidence":"high","notes":[]},{"i":6,"ref":"p6","source":"XIII. და ვითარმედ დასაბამი თავისა თჳსისა ზრუნვისაჲ არს განშორებაჲ ქორწინებისაგან;\n\nXIV. და ვითარმედ ქალწულებაჲ უზეშთაეს არს მძლავრებასა სიკუდ/ილისასა;\n\nXV. და ვითარმედ ჭეშმარიტი ქალწულებაჲ ყოველსა საქმესა შინა იხილვების;\n\nXVI. და ვითარმედ უკუეთუ მცირედცა ვინ გარეგან სათნოებისა საზღვართა განვიდეს, სასჯელსა ქუეშე არს;\n\nXVII. და ვითარმედ არასრულ არს კეთილისა მიმართ, რომელი ერთისაგანცა სათნოებისა ნაკლულევან იყოს;\n\nXVIII. და ვითარმედ ჯერ-არს რაჲთა ყოველნივე ძალნი სულისანი სათნოებისა მიმართ ჰხედვიდენ;\n\nXIX. ამისა შემდგომად ჰპოვო ჴსენებაჲ მარიამისი, დისა აჰრონისი, ვითარმედ იწყო ამას მოქალაქობასა;\n\nXX. და მერმე, ვითარმედ შეუძლებელ არს, რაჲთამცა ჴორციელთა გულისთქუმათა ჰმონებდა სული და მასმცა აქუნდა საღმრთოჲ იგი სიხარული;","english":"XIII. And that the beginning of its own care is separation from marriage.\n\nXIV. And that virginity is superior to the power of death.\n\nXV. And that true virginity is seen in every deed.\n\nXVI. And that if anyone departs even a little beyond the boundaries of virtue, he is subject to punishment.\n\nXVII. And that it is incomplete with regard to the good, which lacks even one virtue.\n\nXVIII. And that it is necessary that all the powers of the soul be directed toward virtue.\n\nXIX. After this, you will find the mention of Mary, the sister of Aaron, that she began in this polity.\n\nXX. And then, that it is impossible for the soul to be enslaved by carnal desires and at the same time to have that divine joy.","structure":"narrative","commentary":[{"unit":"structure","kind":"structure","basis":"text","lemma":"XIII–XX","severity":"info","text":"This passage continues the series of numbered headings (XIII–XX) that outline topics in Gregory’s treatise. Each unit begins with “და ვითარმედ” (and that), a formulaic marker of a new thematic point.","cites":[{"key":"ed:grnys","label":"source edition: Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity","url":"https://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcg/cauc/ageo/mravtavi/grnysvrg/grnys.htm"}],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"term","kind":"term","basis":"glossary","lemma":"ქალწულებაჲ","severity":"info","text":"Georgian ქალწულებაჲ (kaltsulebay) translates Greek παρθενία (parthenia) ‘virginity’. In this context it denotes both physical virginity and a spiritual state of purity, as Gregory develops the idea of true virginity seen in every deed (XV).","cites":[{"key":"ed:grnys","label":"source edition: Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity","url":"https://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcg/cauc/ageo/mravtavi/grnysvrg/grnys.htm"}],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"scripture","kind":"scripture","basis":"text","lemma":"Mary, the sister of Aaron","severity":"info","text":"XIX refers to Mary, sister of Aaron (Miriam), mentioned in Exodus 15:20. Gregory uses her as an example of a life of virginity and prophetic service, linking her to the ‘polity’ (მოქალაქობა) of ascetic community.","cites":[{"key":"ed:grnys","label":"source edition: Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity","url":"https://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcg/cauc/ageo/mravtavi/grnysvrg/grnys.htm"}],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"background","kind":"background","basis":"external","lemma":"polity (მოქალაქობა)","severity":"info","text":"Georgian მოქალაქობა (mokalakeba) translates Greek πολιτεία (politeia), a technical term in early monastic literature for a disciplined, ascetic way of life. Gregory applies it to Mary’s manner of living, not a political entity.","cites":[{"key":"ed:grnys","label":"source edition: Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity","url":"https://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcg/cauc/ageo/mravtavi/grnysvrg/grnys.htm"}],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"parallel","kind":"parallel","basis":"text","lemma":"XIV: virginity superior to death","severity":"info","text":"The claim that virginity is superior to the power of death echoes Gregory’s earlier argument (in the same treatise) that virginity participates in the incorruptibility of the soul, a theme also found in his ‘On the Making of Man’.","cites":[{"key":"ed:grnys","label":"source edition: Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity","url":"https://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcg/cauc/ageo/mravtavi/grnysvrg/grnys.htm"}],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"caution","kind":"caution","basis":"text","lemma":"XIX: Mary, sister of Aaron","severity":"caution","text":"The identification of Mary as ‘sister of Aaron’ is unambiguous in the Georgian, but some readers might confuse her with the Virgin Mary. Gregory clearly refers to the Old Testament Miriam, not the Theotokos.","cites":[{"key":"ed:grnys","label":"source edition: Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity","url":"https://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcg/cauc/ageo/mravtavi/grnysvrg/grnys.htm"}],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]}],"ambiguities":["The Georgian text of XIX does not specify which ‘polity’ (მოქალაქობა) is meant; it likely refers to the ascetic life of the desert or a monastic community, but the exact referent is not explicit.","The phrase ‘its own care’ (თავისა თჳსისა ზრუნვისაჲ) in XIII is ambiguous: it may refer to the care of the soul or the care of the virginity ideal; the translation follows the latter."],"confidence":"high","notes":[]},{"i":7,"ref":"p7","source":"XXI. და ვითარმედ უჴმს, რომელსა ენებოს კეთილადცხორებაჲ, ყოვლისავე ჴორციელისა გულისთქუმისაგან უცხოყოფაჲ;\n\nXXII. და ვითარმედ უმეტეს ზომისა მოღუაწებაჲცა არავე კეთილ არს, რამეთუ წინა-აღუდგების სულსა სისრულედ შუებაჲცა ჴორცთაჲ და უზომოჲცა შრომაჲ;\n\nXXIII. და მერმე ესე ჰპოო, ვითარმედ უჴმს, რაჲთა რომელი კეთილად ისწავლიდეს ცხორებასა ამას, მისგან ისწაოს, რომელსა წარემართოს იგი.","english":"XXI. And that it is necessary, for whosoever desires to live well, to be estranged from every fleshly desire.\n\nXXII. And that even asceticism beyond measure is not at all good, for both the pleasure of the flesh and excessive toil hinder the soul from perfection.\n\nXXIII. And then this is found, that it is necessary that he who would learn to live well in this life should learn from him who guides him.","structure":"narrative","commentary":[{"unit":"sense","kind":"sense","basis":"text","lemma":"XXI. ... ჴორციელისა გულისთქუმისაგან უცხოყოფაჲ","severity":"info","text":"The Georgian phrase 'to be estranged from every fleshly desire' echoes the ascetic ideal of detachment from bodily passions, a central theme in Gregory's treatise.","cites":[{"key":"ed:grnys","label":"source edition: Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity","url":"https://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcg/cauc/ageo/mravtavi/grnysvrg/grnys.htm"}],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"structure","kind":"structure","basis":"text","lemma":"XXII. ... უმეტეს ზომისა მოღუაწებაჲცა არავე კეთილ არს","severity":"info","text":"This unit introduces a caution against excessive asceticism, balancing the earlier call for estrangement from desire and showing Gregory's nuanced view of virtue as a mean.","cites":[{"key":"ed:grnys","label":"source edition: Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity","url":"https://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcg/cauc/ageo/mravtavi/grnysvrg/grnys.htm"}],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"term","kind":"term","basis":"glossary","lemma":"მოღუაწებაჲ","severity":"info","text":"The term 'asceticism' (from the root for 'toil' or 'struggle') is used here in a qualified sense, warning that even virtuous practice can become harmful if immoderate.","cites":[{"key":"ed:grnys","label":"source edition: Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity","url":"https://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcg/cauc/ageo/mravtavi/grnysvrg/grnys.htm"}],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"sense","kind":"sense","basis":"text","lemma":"XXIII. ... მისგან ისწაოს, რომელსა წარემართოს იგი","severity":"info","text":"The final unit emphasizes the need for a spiritual guide, a common theme in early monastic literature, linking learning to live well to obedience to a teacher.","cites":[{"key":"ed:grnys","label":"source edition: Gregory of Nyssa, On Virginity","url":"https://titus.uni-frankfurt.de/texte/etcg/cauc/ageo/mravtavi/grnysvrg/grnys.htm"}],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]},{"unit":"background","kind":"background","basis":"background","lemma":"XXIII. ... ისწაოს, რომელსა წარემართოს იგი","severity":"info","text":"The emphasis on learning from a guide reflects the broader fourth-century Christian context of desert monasticism and the role of the abba or spiritual father.","cites":[],"named_sources":[],"dropped_cites":[]}],"ambiguities":["The Georgian text of XXIII uses 'წარემართოს' (guides), which could imply either a living teacher or a written rule; the English draft takes it as a personal guide."],"confidence":"high","notes":[]}]}