Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite
Who Was Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite?
Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite is the name given to an unknown Christian writer from the late 5th or early 6th century. He is famous for writing deeply mystical and influential theological texts that shaped Christian thought for centuries — especially about angels, the divine order, and the nature of God.
Even though we don’t know his real name, his writings were so respected that people once believed he was Dionysius the Areopagite, a man mentioned in the Bible (Acts 17:34) who became a follower of Paul in Athens. Later scholars realized this couldn’t be true, so they added “Pseudo-” to his name, meaning “false” or “not the real.”
Why Is He Important?
Pseudo-Dionysius wrote about how Heaven is organized, how angels serve God, and how humans can move closer to the divine through prayer, humility, and spiritual purification. His work mixes Christian theology with Greek philosophical ideas, especially from Plato and Neoplatonism.
He is considered a founding figure in Christian mysticism, and many great thinkers and saints — including Thomas Aquinas, Meister Eckhart, and John of the Cross — were deeply influenced by him.
His Most Famous Works
The main writings of Pseudo-Dionysius are:
- The Celestial Hierarchy
This book describes how angels are arranged in three spheres and nine choirs (like Seraphim, Cherubim, Thrones, Powers, Principalities, etc.). It was the first major attempt to organize angelology into a structured system. - The Divine Names
Explores the different names and attributes of God, like Light, Love, Truth, and Power — and how each reveals something divine but also mysterious. - Mystical Theology
A short and powerful text that talks about approaching God by going beyond words, images, and knowledge, and entering into divine darkness — a state of unknowing where God’s presence is felt beyond the mind. - The Ecclesiastical Hierarchy
Describes how the Church mirrors the celestial order through sacraments, clergy, and liturgical rites — all as ways of drawing closer to God.
Key Ideas in His Writings
- Apophatic Theology (Via Negativa)
This means we come to know God not by what He is, but by what He is not. God is beyond all names and forms. - Hierarchy as a Divine Structure
Both Heaven and the Church are arranged in levels or “steps,” each one helping the soul rise closer to the Divine. - Light as a Symbol for God
Divine Light flows from God through all levels of creation — from the highest angels to humans — illuminating everything with love and order.
Legacy and Influence
Even though he wasn’t really the man from the Book of Acts, Pseudo-Dionysius became one of the most important Christian thinkers of the Middle Ages. His work helped shape:
- Catholic and Orthodox mystical traditions
- The doctrine of angels and celestial hierarchy
- Philosophical and symbolic approaches to God
His writings were translated into Latin by John Scotus Eriugena in the 9th century, which made them widely available across Europe.
Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite may have been anonymous, but his spiritual vision and poetic theology left a lasting mark on Christianity. By blending faith with philosophy, he opened a path for people to experience the divine mystery in a deep, structured, and mystical way — one that still inspires seekers, theologians, and mystics today.
NOTE:
Edited and revised for the Web by Occult Media, the 22nd of April of the Year 2022. We use British English spelling.
