A mystical writer of the 6th century CE who had an important influence on Christianity. His major works attempted a synthesis of Neoplatonism and Christianity. He is referred to as Pseudo-Areopagite because he should not be confused with Dionysius the Areopagite mentioned in the New Testament as having been converted by St. Paul (Acts 17:34), and who was later identified with St. Denys of France.

Dionysius wrote four major works (The Celestial Hierarchy, The Ecclesiastical Hierarchy, The Divine Names, and The Mystical Theology) covering the hierarchy of angelic beings, and the church hierarchy as reflective of the angelic hierarchy, the names of God that describe his attributes, and the mystical ascent of the soul.

V.H.C.

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