Neophytos Vamvas | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Dean of the School of Philosophy (University of Athens) | |
| In office 1837–1838 | |
| Preceded by | Established |
| Succeeded by | Kyriakos Domnandos |
| In office 1841–1844 | |
| Preceded by | Kyriakos Domnandos |
| Succeeded by | Philip Ioannou |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1770 Chios |
| Died | 9 January 1856 (aged 85–86) Athens, Greece |
| Nationality | Greek |
| Profession | Priest, Professor, Dean |
| Known for | Modern Greek |
| Alma mater | École Polytechnique |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Chemistry Mathematics |
| Institutions | University of Athens |
| Notable students | Stamatios D. Krinos Konstantinos Negris |
Neophytos Vamvas (Greek: Νεόφυτος Βάμβας; 1770 – 9 January 1856) was a priest, philosopher, philologist, author, professor, and dean. He was the first dean of the philosophical school at the University of Athens.[1][2] He is known for being part of the Neophytos incident. The incident was similar to the Methodios Affair an incident that occurred one hundred years prior. He was one of the most influential figures of modern Greek education. He was considered the teacher of the nation.[3]
Vamvas was born on the island of Chios in 1770. His secular name was Nikolaos. He was ordained a deacon at age 20 and in 1804 went to study in France where he met Adamantios Korais.[2]
On his return to Greece, he taught in Chios, at the Ionian Academy of Corfu, at the first High School (Gymnasium) of Syros[2] and later in the newly founded University of Athens.
His main contribution to Greek literature is his translation of the Bible into modern Greek[2] (New Testament published in 1833, Old Testament published in 1850) an endeavour that was opposed at that time by ultraconservative circles within the Greek Orthodox Church (cf. Greek language question). The controversy led to the Neophytos Incident. An issue similar to the Methodios Affair. The Ecumenical Patriarchate in Constantinople issued an encyclical condemning the translation. It was "based on the Textus Receptus and was written in a form of Katharevousa that was extremely close to the original "Koine" Greek, being more like a paraphrase than a translation". Publishing the Vamvas Bible was forbidden.[4] His version was finally allowed in 1924, and is now in widespread use, being the official version of the Bible used by Greek Evangelical Churches.[5]
He died in Athens on 9 January 1856.
- ^ Staff Writers (28 October 2022). "Acting Deans". National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Hellas Observed: The American Experience of Greece, 1775-1865". The SHAFR Guide Online: 47, 56, 185, 229. doi:10.1163/2468-1733_shafr_sim040070072. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
- ^ Johnston & Loughlin 2020, pp. 180–181.
- ^ Paraphrased from: Diachronix, "Re: Modern Greek Translations of the Bible/New Testament", Biblical Greek Forum, 2019 [1]
- ^ Diachronix, "Re: Modern Greek Translations of the Bible/New Testament", Biblical Greek Forum, 2019 [2]