Abstract

The article draws the origins of the filioquist controversy back to the theology of Asterius the Sophist and his refutation by Marcellus of Ancyra (condemned in 336). The oriental theology of the Fourth century provides a sort of prehistorical background to the formula: “The Spirit proceeds from the Father by the Son”. The first systematical pneumatology, delivered by Athanasius of Alexandria in his Letters to Serapion (ca. 360), similarly expresses a intermediary role of the Son in the mission of the Spirit, in trying to respect literally the johannine data. Athanasius' attempt is of particular interest, in as much as it has been later advocated as a testimony for the filioquist formula, singularly by Nicephorus Blemmydes (1197-1272) and George of Cyprus (1241-1290). Actually, later interpretations reveal the ambiguity of Athanasius' own formulations.