LECTURE: Experiencing and Healing Epilepsy in Byzantine hagiography
Byzantine Disability Hub
30 November 2026
Register HERE
We are delighted to announce an upcoming lecture by Dr Anna Lampadaridi (CNRS, HiSoMA UMR 5189), who will explore epilepsy as a disability and its manifestations in Byzantine hagiography!
Title: Experiencing and Healing Epilepsy in Byzantine hagiography
The lecture will take place via Zoom on Monday, 30 November 2026 at 3pm GMT / 10am EST
Abstract: Greek hagiographic literature pullulates with descriptions of possessed people but all seizures described in hagiographic literature were not necessarily associated with epilepsy. Instead of getting lost in the maze of hagiographic accounts featuring possessed individuals who may have experienced epileptic seizures, this paper focuses on some case studies where the term epilepsy is clearly stated (ἐπιληψία, ἐπιληπτικός). On the one hand, we will discuss how the various models of disability can be applied to hagiographic narratives. Such an approach will allow us to better understand the various manifestations of epilepsy and how different disabled people could have related to this condition. On the other hand, we will try to understand how epilepsy could function as a literary pattern, drive the narrative or enable the drama’s plot. We will look into the ways in which the healing of epilepsy functions within the storyness of a miracle tale, namely its form, structure, and its storytelling devices, stylistic and narrative.
To attend the lecture, please complete the Contact form on our website. A link will be sent to you prior to the event.